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T II E 

'ARLIAMENTARY 

O R 

■ CONSTITUTIONAL 

Hiftory of Engkndj 

t Being a ■ '■; - 

FAITHFUL ACCOUNT 
Of all the 
oft remarkable Transactions 
In Parliament, 
From the earlieft Times, 



I 



COLLECTED 
Prom the Journals of both Houses, the Records, 
original Manuscripts, Icarce Speeches and 
Tracts; all compared with riie feveral Coteni- ■ 
porary Writers, and conneftcd, throughout, with 
the Hiftory of the Times. 

By Several Hands. 

Vol. II. 

prom the Acceffion of King Henry IV, to the 

Death of King Hemy VII. 

LONDON, 
Printed; 3.nd Sold hy Thomas OJhorne, in Gray's Tmi 

AND 

ymiam Sandhy^ againft Sc. DunJIan'sOmrcKFkel-Jiresl. 
MDCCLl. 



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'^r^m^^m' 



wm 



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■» .• 



J. < - r • 

»»■■•.• 



»-'^ aS. 




THE 

Pamiamentart history 

O F 

ENGLAND. 



[||T may well be faid, that Henry IV. Tli«Arttff«itf 
began his Reign at ihe Inftant King'^gHemjlV. 
Richard was commitled Prifoner to the 
Tffwer ; for we do not find that he evec 
did one Aft of State afterwards (a). 
" The new-elefled King did not claim 
the Crown by that Right only, as judging it too pre- 
carious ; but trumped up a much worfe Title to it, 
by drawing his Pedigree from Edmuttd, firnamed Cnmcb- 
hack, as eldeft Son to King Henry III, when it was 
then, and is now notorious, that the faid Edmund 
Was only Second Son to Henry III. On the Day 
of his Coronation, however, he took more Strings to 
his Bow ; and by Proclamation, then made, he claim'd 
the Crown of £''^''3'">', Fitft, byCanqueft; Secondly, 
,becaufe King Richard had reiigned that Dignity, and. 
Vol. II. A oefigned 




I. 



a The Tarliamentary History 



King Hcniy IV, defigncd him for his Succeflbr ; and Laftly, becaule he 
was of the Blood Royal, and next Heir-Male (i) unto '._ 
King RUhard. 

We {hall not difpute any further the Validity of anj 
of thefe Titles : The ftrongeft Arm then carried it ; fa 
there was another Perfon, then in Being, who, afttt 
the Death of King Richard, without liliie, had been 
publickly proclaimed Heir Apparent to the Crown. 
This was Edmund Mortimer, Eail of March, Son to 
Rj}ger Mortimer, flain in IreIand,v/ho wasdefcended from 
Lhriel, Duke oiChrence, elder Brother to John Duke of 
Lamafter, King Henry's Father, by his Mother Phil^ 
pa, only Daughter and Heir to the faid Lisnel. * Ani 
' therefore, fays another Hiftorian (c), the faid Edmuni 
' thought himfelf nearer Heir Male to the SuccclSoa 
* of the Crown, as indeed he was, than he that, by 
' Colour of Right claiming it, carried it by Dint of 
' Sword.' But this Earl well conlidered, that the 

4' Torrent of the Times was far too impetuous for him 

to withftand, and therefore wifely withdrew himfelf 
from all publick Affairs, to his Caftle and Barony of 
IVigmore in Hereford/hire, where he lived a private Life 
for feveral Years. For, as Mr R/ipin wei! obfervei, 
he had no other Way to fecure his Repofe, and even 
. !' his Life, againft the Sufpicions of a Prince whofe Jn- 

Stereft it was to dcftroy him. AnJ, it was but too pro- 
bable that the new King would embrace the firft Oc 
cafioD to free himfelf from the Unealinefs, which fuch 
Rival could create {d). 
But, let the Steps lo the Throne have been never l_ 
flippeiy and dangerous, Henry found himfelf fafely pla- 
ced in it, and fortified there by theSandtion of ihetwe 
Houfesof Parliament. Some Hiftorians have hinted, 
that the Lower Houfc was hardly brought to confent 
to the Depofition of ihe late King ; but, at length, w« 
overawed by the great Ones, to a Compliance with il 
(e). But thisdoEs not appear upon Record by the Pro- 
ceeding) 
^_ /i} Hirrn Malat, indeed, ^itoih EJmmJ -Mutiarr to hit Sea* 

T^tnds, ind fo is IhcPynce to ibe Mathaat, when he robbcLh bmti 
'Ihe halh. Sirjsbn Uaruiard, I', gq, ^ 

(c) HaBTt CKranide, FiL X. 
(dj Sapin't Hiftory of fijiiml, Fi/. Edit. P. 48+. 
(<) Sir Join Uajward. — BUsdi'i Hilt, of ihs Civil Wars. P. 41. 




^liig; 



0/ ENGLAND. 3 



Mings of the next Parliament, which Hetfy had Ki»B Hemj rv, 
ailed, and was to meet 2X Wejfminjler on the6[hof 
')£iober following. 

"We have fufficiently taken Notice what coilufive 
Joings had been afted in calling thefe two Pariia- 
aents, the latter of which was to meet fix Days after 
le former was diJIblved ; but were indeed the fame 
idividual Pcrfons, both in Lords and Commons, as the 
srmer (f). 

M, Rapin makes a juft Refleftion on this Piece of 
'bUanery, which we ihall give in his own WorJs 33 
)JIow3 : 

* To proceed according to Ciiftom, the Reprefen- 

laiives muft have been chofen anew. Bat Henry 

did not think fit to run the Rifque of a lefs favour- 
able Parrmment than that which had fa heartily efpou- 

fed his Caufe. He was contented, therefore, with 
impowcring the fame Reprefentatives to make, with 
the Houfe of Lords, a new Parliament under his 
Authority. I ihall not venture to decide, whether 
this Proceeding was lomewhat irregular, or autliorifed 
by any former Precedent. But; be that as it will, 
the fame Parhament met again on the gth of OiSo- 
ber (g), as if called by the new King. 

We fhall now proceed to quote from more certain 
mhority, which is the faithful Abridger of theParlia- 
lentary Records themfelves ; adverliling the Reader, 
at, fince now Dr Brady an.l Mr T^rr^/are both filcnt, 
I avoid a Repetition of needlefs Notes, the Sub- 
ince of Parliamentary Proceedings, in this and fome 
cceeding Reigns, are wholely taken from Sir Robert 
ntsn'a Abridffment of them ; and, where any Matter 

advanced otheiwife, the .Authors fliall then be re- 
ark'd. 

But, it cannot be amifs in the Beginning of this Par- 
iment, to give the Names of the Peers fummoned to 
by the fecond Writ, in /ff nr/s Name ,■ And as thele, 
ilh the Pesrs cilled to the iirft, ftand, in the Abridg- 
lpni» on two ojipofite Pai;e5, there is no Differenco 
teept in the Names of the Kings ; and, in the former, 
k Thomas Erpingham is put as Warden of the Cmque 
A 2 Pons, 




4 The 'Farltamentary H i s t o r t 

KtoiHeBiy iv.Porls, which in the other he is not. The firft Writ 
thus direfled, /!m [Richardus] ttfr. dile^o Confingim 
fad Hentico Duci LancaftriE Saluicm, tft. mpud We! 
monafterium in Crajt'ina S. Michaelle proximo fuM 
Tefle Rege apud Ceftriam xxix Die Augulti. Tl 
APirliament o'her is, J!« [Hemicus] Wf. Henrico i)j/« Lancafoi 
caii'd »t Wed- [FUiafao] (^c. (ip«i/ Weftmonafterium, in FeJioSc^ 
■Mofl"- Fidis Firginis, Jexto Die Odobrls, i 399. Tefte Ri, 

apud Weftmonafterium, 30 Scptembris. Next folk 
the Names and Titles of the Peers (*). 
Edmead Duke of Tori, WiUiam, Lord CUntm, 
Edward Dakeoi Jlk'narU, Thomas, Lord de laTVeri, 
Thomas Duke of Surrey, Stephen, Lord Scrope ei 
John Dulce of Exeler, Mojham, 

John Marquefsof Dorfet^ ffil/iam. Lord Roos ti 
Thimas de Beaucharnp, Earl Hamlaie, 

of Warwick, Henry, Lord Fttz-Hugh., 

Aubrey de P'ere, Earl of fVilHam, Lord Ferrtrt 

Oxford, Grcby, 

Edward Courtney, Esriof Thomas, Lord Morlej, 

Devon, Richard, Lord Scrope, 

John de Mentacufe, Earl of Hugh, Lord Burnel, » 
■ Sarum, lipomas, 'Lotd Berkeley <i 

Henry Percie, EarlofA^ffr- Berkeley, 

ibumberland, "John, Lord Welles^ 

Edward, Earl of Stafford, Phi! p. Lord DeJPeriClT, 
Michael de la Pole, Earl of Almaric, Lord St Amsf^ 

Suffolk, Ralph, Lord Crmwelt, 

Thomas de Percie, Ear! of Ralph, Lord Lumlej, 

Worcepr, Ralph, Lord Grtyftoci, 

Thomas k Dcfpeii/er, Earl Robert, Lord Harringm ] 

oiGloceJier, Jchn, Lord Darcy, ' 

Ralph Nevde, Earl of IVaher, Lord Fitz-Jft^ ' 

IVeJlmoreland, William, Lord mikagk \ 

Thomas, Lord de Catnois, "John, Lord Cobham, 
John Lord Bourchier, William, Lord Datre, 

John, Lord Charleton de fyHliam, Lord ^roii 

PoTvys, Haligmjhire, 



L 



{"iij There iiaMiftalcein DugdaWi Summons Co Parnaincnt, ii 
cing the Writs for nilin;; a Parliament :>! Tark, the firfl Year gf 
King, inftead of the Second [ and puttiiig i( before thi! PailiameM 
mjlaii'f.cr i 31 [he Dates of the Writs, tjiemfdvcs, will eviJtotly b 



0/ ENGLAND. j 

iebardi Lord Siymore, Reginald, Lord Grey of King Hmiy 
'William Beauchump, Lord Ruthin, 

Bergavenny, Thomas, Lord Bardolf of 

'«*», Lord iowf//, of 7iVA- fVormgay, 

marjh, Robert, Lord Sm/c;, 

Vchard, hor^Grey oi Co- Peter, Lord Mauley, 

donare. 

On Monday, being the 6ih of OBohtr, ihefe Peers, 
ith the Bifliops and Commons of England, being af* 
mbled in the Great Hall at Weftminjler, and the new 
Jng placed in the Royal Throne; by his Command, 
%mai Amndele, Acchbifhopof Cdi/^rfiury, dccLrert, ._■ . 
That this Parliament was fummon'd by King a ch- Zc%t^^t^^ 
erd, to be held the Tuifday next beforp. Which w..-™ ihtn'^f 
Summons was annuli'd and made void by the Arcent Kidj T.irhani'i 
ing of the Renunciation of the faid King /!;V.'WJ, ^^ """' 
and Depofing of him ; which was done the fame Day 
in the Prefcnce of the King, Lords and Common?, 
as by the Procefs hereafter to be read would appear. 
He then told them, * That this moft famous Realm, 
abounding in all Felicities, had been long governed 
by Children and young Counfellors. and would, ut- 
terly, have been ruined and wafted, had not God 
fen: a wife and difcreet Man to govern ihe fame, 
who meant, by God's Help, to be governed himfelf 
by the wife and old Heads of the Realm.' 
After this he look for his Text ihefe Words out of 
Teci^tees, Incumbit nsbit ordinare pro Regno, t. e. // is 
•IGng^sH^iU to be governed by the honourabU, difireet, 
ijage Men of the Realm, and by their common Confini; 
a not by hiiWll or Humour, to rule the fime. He further 
i great Sirefs on this, ' That this Nation, of any 
ander the Sun, might beft fupport and live within 
tftlf, alledging for Authority this Adage, ^od inter 
J^egTiay hoc Principatum tenet. 
To ihefe he added, • That to every good Govem- 
nent Three Things were requited ; Fjrft, Juftice ; 
lext, 'I'hac the Laivs (hbuld be duly obfeivcd ; and 
aflly. That every Degree of Men, in their fcveral 
iTocaiions, fliould be* encouraged and proredled.' He 
(Ught many Rcafons why this Nation oujht to be 
A 3 well 



Hmfj TV. * 



6 Tfje Parliamentary H i s T o r t 

Kins Hcniy IV, ^^" governed, and faid, ' That their new King 
' * tended ftriftly lo obTerve ihefc three Poinis. 

He concludtd wilh acquainting ihem» 'Tbatfli J^j 
' ry, their King and Lord, meant to be Crown'donili f^ 

* ^offiii^ following, after which he would wholelyji j^ 
' di<5t himfelf to (he Care of the Cummon-weallll fc 

* and defired the Commons that they would conla &- 
' to have the Parliament continued to the TiKjB) ij, 

* following.' After this Harangue was ended* hni\ ^ 
Percie, Earl of Nortbumberldnd, and Conftable of £«(■ 
land, demanded of the Lords and Commons, 
ther they would agree to this Continuance, who, be 
ing all and feverally examined, confented thereto. 

Then the Receivers and Tryers of Petitions for E«l- 
land, Ireland, M'alts, and Scotland, were appoiniri 
■with thofe for Ga/cslgnyy and other Places beyond th 
Seas, wilh the Ides. 

The next Thing they went upon, was to read H* 
Record of ihe Renunciation of King Richard II. wid jj 
their Acceptance of the lame, and the Depofitloticrfdl l[ 
faid King, as follows : 

The Roll of Parliament fummatied and balden at VIA [ 
minfter, on the Feajl of St Faiih the Firgin, in the' 
Year of the Reign of King Henry IV. after the 
quef}. Membrane XX. 

the Record and Bj-oeefs of the Renunciation ofKingV&ii- 
ard II. ifter the Cotiquejl, and likewife the AcceplM 
of the fame Renunciation, with the Depofuion of t^ 
fame King Richard afterwards enfuing (i'* 

' TJE it remembered, that on A/osi/d)' the Feaft oi 

* IJ St Michael the Archangel, in the three and twen- 

* tiethYear of the Reign of King Richard II. thf 

* Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and other Perfons of 

* Note ; that is to fay, the Lord Richard it S<n{ 
' Archbiihop of York, John Bifhop of Htrrferdi ^ 

(i) It »>9 printFd, frum in attefttri Copy, in the original Lan|iia(n 
\!1^t»epr'T'aiSdtn, at tiie End of his EdiiLoo of (keDtcmScriftt 
Bifimf jingUanit. Col. 174J. But, Ihii TranflitiDii u Wken ftooitN 
Hiftory of Ihe Lift and Reigo of Bicbard 11. hy ■ Ferhn t/^An, \n 
fjmd. l6gi. p. 191, me, i J -^ J 



TIB* 



Of E'SGLAND. 7 

Earl of Northumberland^ and Ralph Earl oiWeftmore- King Henry IV. 
fiand -y the Lord Hugh de Burnel^ Thomas Lord de 
Berieleyy the Prior of Canterbury with the Abbot of 
H^^JiminJler^ William Thy mingy Knight, and John 
Afarihamy Juftices ; Thomas Stow and John Burbache^ ' 

Oodlors of Laws, Thomas de Erpingham and Thov^as 
Qrayy Knights, William deFeryby and Dionyftus Lap^ 
baniy Publick Notaries, firfl deputed to the Aft un- 
der-written, by the Aflent and Advice of feveral of 
the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and of the Judges 
and others, fkilful as well in the Civril and Canon 
Law, as in the Laws of the Realm, alTembled at 
Weftminjler in the ufual Place of Council ; did about ' 
Kine of the Clock come to the Prefwice of the faid 
King, being within the Tower oi London : And it be- 
ing recited before the faid King, by the faid Earl of 
Northumberland^ in the Behalf of all the reft before-, 
named, fo as aforefaid joyned with him : How the, 
faid King heretofore at Conway in North-Wales^ (i) 
being at Liberty, did promife unto the Lord Thomas 
Archbifhop of Canter bury ^ and the Earl of Norfhum^ , 
berlandy that he would yield up and renounce the 
Crown of England and France^ and his Regal Maje- 
jefty, for Caufes of his Inability and Infufficiency, , 

there by the feid King himfelf confeffed, and that in 
the beft Manner and Form the fame could be done, 
as Counfel learned fhould beft order y the faid King 
before the faid Lords and others above-named, here- 
.unto benignly anfwer'd, That he would with Effe^ 
accomplijhy what before in that Behalf he had promifed^ * 

but defired to have fome Difcourfe with his Coufins, 
Henry Duke oi Lancafter^ and the faid Lord Archbi* 
(hop of Canterbury y before he fulfilled fuch his Pro- 
mife. 

* Afterwards the lame Day after Dinner, the faid 
King much affefting the Coming of the faid Duke 
of Lancafler^ and having long waited for him, at laft 
the faid Duke of Lancajier^ the Lords, and others 
above-named, and alfo th? faid Archbiftiop of Can* 
terbwj^ did come to the Prefence of the faid King in 
the Tower aforefaid ; the Lords de Roos^ de Wil- . 
hughby^ and de Bergavenny^ and very many others be- 

* ing 

(IJ Sec Vol. !• p. 501, 



8 The Tarliamentary History 

lUDt HtDTjr rv. • ing ihcn there ptefent j anJ after the fatd King hrflf'' 

* had Difcourfe wiih the faid Dufcc of Lancajier anS ' 
' Archbiftiop, exhibiting a merry Countenance hem 

* and there imongft them to Part thereof, as appeattd 

* to thofe that flood round about ; at laft the faid King 

* calling to him all that were there prerent, did publicU]i 

* fay before them, That he xvjs riady to make the Rt- 

* nunciatien, and ti renounce and recede^ according t« lU 

* Prsmife by hhn made ai aforefaxd. And fo forihwiib, 

* although, as was faid unto him, he might have made 

* fome Deputy to have ferv'd as the Organ of hrs 

* Voice, for avoiding fo tedious a Labour as the reading 

* of the laid CelTion and Renunciation, reduc'd by 

* others into a Schedule of Parchment ; yet the faid 

* King, very willingly as appeared, and with a p!ea- 

* fant Countenance, holding the faid Schedule in his 

* Hand, faid, That he h'mfelf would riad It, and di- 

* ftinfllyread the fame through : And alfo did abfoI« 

* all his Liege People, and renounce, and recede,' and 

* fwear, and other Things did fay and pronounce id 

* Reading, and did fubfcribe it with his own Hand, as 

* is mJire fully contained in the faid Schedule ; the Tc- 

* nor whereof is fuch, 

/AT the Name of G D, Amen. / Richard, by tbt 
...V ,„,„,„, ^. Grace of God, King of England and France* and 
Richard's RefiE.iflri^c/~lreiand, do abfohe the Anhbijhops, Bfhaps, and 
^'Zaf ^^ '"*"■ ■^'"'^'"" ofChurehes, fecular or regular, of what/s- 
ever Dignity, Degree, Stale, or CondUion they be ; the 
Dukes, MarqueJJes, Earls, Barom, Vaflah andVaha- 
fon ; and all and every my Liege People whatfiever, Et- 
(leJiaHicki or Seculars, of all the faid Kingdsms and De- 
minms, by ivhat Nao.e fiever they are hiswn, ffom the 
Oath of Feahy and Homage, and other Oaths zuhatfie- 
ver to me made, and from all Bond or Tye of Leigiance, 
Royalty, <jki/ Dominion, whereby they have been or are 
ebliged, or otherwifc in any Manner bound unto me. 
And I do free, releafe, and acquit ihem and thtir Heirs 
and Succeflbrs for ever, from the faid Oaths and other 
Obligations wMySrt/^r. Md I do difmijt them free, un- 
hofen, quit and in fulllmmm\iy , as far as relates to my 
Perfmf to every Ejfeif oj Law whifh may /oltow from /he 
Premips 



0/ ENGLAND. p 

em'tjje!, or any ef them, ^nd I depurtlf, of myownKi„(; 
ca!^,fimpfy and abfB!uU^,in and by thelxjimanaer 
ly and Form that may be, inlhefeJVritings, Renounce 
i totally Refion, all Kingfy Dignity and Maje/fy, and 
■ Crmvn and Deminion and Power sf she /aid ICng- 
ns and Dominions, and all other my Dominions and 
(fefhoni, or any Way belonging or appertaining unto me^ 
what Name joever they may be reckeit'd up within the 
Tt/aid Kingdoms, er elfewhere ; and all Right and Co- 
r of Right and Title, Pojjeffion and Dtminiau, which 
any Time Ihavi had, now have, or by any Meamjball 
■je in or to the fame, tsr any of them, with their univer- 
Rights and Apparlinances, or any Dependencies bowe-- 
■, on them or any of them : jfndalfo the Rule and Go- 
fiment of the faid Kingdoms and Dominions, and their 
minijhation, and all Manner of meer and mixt Em- 
E and Jurifdiflion to me in the fad Kingdoms beltng- 
', or that may be belonging ; and to the Name of King, 
I the Honour, Regahiy, and Celfttude Riyal, purely^ 
itntarily, fmpfy, and abfolutely, by tht bejl Manner 
\y and Form that the fame can be done in tbtfe Writ- 
s, I do Renounce, and them do totally Relign, and 
Deed and in Word difmifs and quit the fame, and from 
m do recede for ever. Saving to my Succefjors Kngs 
ingUnd, the Rights to them or any of them belonging, 
thatJboU any Way belong, in the faid Kingdoms or Do- 
tions, and alt other the Premifes for ever. And I da 
ftfs, acknowledge, repute, and truly and out o/" certain 
lowledge, do judge myfelf to have been and to be utterly 
ifficienC and unuTeful for the Rule and Government of 
faid Kingdoms and Dom nions, with alt their Appurte- 
\ce% : And that for my notorious Demerits / diferue tt 
itpofed. And I do fwtar upon ihefe Holy Gofpcls of 
i, by me corporal^ touch'd, that I will never a£f con- 
ry to the faid Refignatien, Renunciation, Difm'ffion^ 
' Ceffion i nor any Way oppofe the fame in Deed or in 
rd,bymyfelfer any other or others : Nor will, at much 
n me lies, permit the Jame pub&ckiy or privately to be 
raried or eppofed ; iw (if^/ii Renunciation, Refig- 
ion, Difmillioni7BiCefliQn,.iu,'//_/flr ever efleem ra- 
^d and will-pieafing, and firmly hold end ebjerve the 
fame 




10 7he ^Parliamentary History 

^ ^ tf«i /Ar;^ Holy Gofpcls of God. 

/ the before-named King Richard d» bere fubjark 
mjfe^with my ewn Hand. 



\,\ 






* And prefently to the (aid Renunciation and OS- 
on, the faid King added by Word of Mouth, That if 
it lay in his Power the laid Duke rfhznczVutx Jbmi 
Jiuceed him in his Kingdom. But bccaufc, as be fiud, 

this did not depend on his Pleaiure, he did requeft the 
faid Archbifliop of Tork^ and Biihop of Hereforii 
whom he for that Time had conftitutcd his Procura- 
tors, to declare, and intimate fuch hisCeffionand Re- 
nunciation to the States of the Kingdom, That thej 
would be pleafed toftgnify to the People^ his ff^llandb- 
tention in that Behalf. And in Token of fuch hfa 
Will and Intention, did then and there ..openly pluck 
off the Golden Ring of his Signet from his own Fing- 
er, and put it upon the Finger of the faid Duke of 
Lancqfterj defining as he affirmed, that the fame 
. might be made known to all the States of the Kingdom. 
Which being done, taking their Leaves on both Sides, 
they all went out of the faid Tower, to return to their 
Lodgings. 

• But on the Morrow, viz. Tuefday the Fcaft of St 
Jerome^ in the great Hall at Wejiminfler^ in the Place 
honourably prepared for holding the Parliament, the 
faid Archbiftiops of Canterbury and York^ and the 
Duke of Lancajler^ and other Dukes and Lords, as 

L well Spiritual as Temporal, whofe Names are under- 
written, and the Commons of the faid Kingdom, af- 
fembled in a great Multitude in Parliament, being 
prefenr, and the faid Duke of Lancafler being feated 
in a Place due to his Quality, and the Chair cfState *, 
being folemnly adorn'd with Cloth of Gold, 
but then empty, without any Perfon whatever pre- 
liding therein ; the above named Archbifhop of 
York^ in the Name of himfelf, and of the faid Bi- 
fhop of Hereford^ according to the Order of the faid 
King, did publickly declare the Ceffion, and Renun- 
ciation, to have been io made by him as aforefaid, 

• with 

• Or Royal Throne. 



' with the Subfcription of his Royal Hand, and Deli- nJa- Hen™ iVj 
' very of his Signet. And the laid Ceflion and Re- 

* nunciation, did there caufe to be read by another, 
' firftin Laiin and then in Englijh. 

' Immediately after which, it was demanded of the 

* Eftates and People there prefent, to wit, firftof the 

* Archbifliop of Canterbury, to whom, by Reafon of [he 
' Kgnity and Prerogative of his Metropolitan Church 

* ti Canterbury, it belongs in this Behalf to have the 

* firft Voice araongft the reft of the Prelates, and No- 

* blesoF the Realm, Whether, for their Inlereji and 
' tbi VtiCtly of the Kingdom, they would be pleaftd to ad- 

* eAmit fvch Renunciation and Ceffmn. And the faid 

* States and People, judging from the Caufes by the faid 

* King himfelf, in his Renunciation and Ceflion afore- 

* faid, iignified, that the fame was very expedient, did 

* each Man fingly by himfelf, and in common with the 

* People, unanimouily admit the faid Ceflion and Re- 

* nunciaiion. 

' After which Admiflion, it was thenand there pub- 

* lickly declar'd, that belides fuch Ceflion and Renun- 
' ciation, fo as aforefiid admitted, it would be very ex- 
' pedient and profitable to the Kingdom, for the re- 
' moving of alt Scruples, and takingaway finifter Suf- 

* picions, thai very many Crimes and Defedis, by the 
' iaid King about the ill Governance of his Kingdom 

* very often committed, reduc'd into Writing by Way 

* of Articles, by Reafon of which, as himfelf aflirm'd 
' in the Ceflion, by him made, he was delervedly to be 
' depofed, Ihould be publickly read, and dtclared to the 
' People. And fo the greatelt Part of the faid Articles, 

* were then and there read through. The Tenour of 

* all which Articles is fuch. 

But yet in the Roll, before the Artidts^ there are firft 
thefe JVards. 
* Here followeth the Form of the Oath, that is 

* ufcd and accuftom'd to be taken by the Kings of Eng- 
' land, at their Coronation ; which the Aichbifhop of 

* CaWf ''W;' hath ufed to require and receive from the 

* faid Kings, as in the Books of ihs Pontifical of the 

* Arcbbifhops and Bilhops, is more fully contain'd. 
' Which Oath, KichardW. after the Conqueft of 

f England^ did take at his Coronation j arid the fame 
' was 




J 



I a The 'Parliamentary H i s T o r, r 

Wdt H(is»j ir. * was adminiftrcd by the Archbifhop of Cantttk^ 
' and ihc very fame Oath the King afterwards reptit- 

* ed, as in the Rolls of tlic Chancery may more Mj 

* be found of Record. 

* Thau JhaUhtptsihi Church ef God, andPaple,^ 

* liri Piau and ComordtM GeJ, accsrSng ta thy Pemttk 

* The King (hal! anfwer, Iwillkiep thm. 

* Tbmjhah in aB thy JudgmiHls (aufeto bedene, /,._ 

* oHd right Jiiflite, end Difiretion., in Mercy^ Wn 

* Truths auerdiHg la thy Pswer. He Ibali anfwer, / 

* wiil /idi. 

* 7hau dajl grant thejuft haws and Cufltrm^ as j 

* beheld, and doji promife the Jame Jball by thet btfn-_ 

* lelied, and for she Honour of God corrobaratedt quar 

* valgus elegcrit, tuhich thePesplefhatl chufi, to the ut; 

* mojl afthy Pswir. He fli?,ll anfwer, 1 do fa grant, 

* andpromife. 
' To the aforefaid Qi.ieftionfi, fuch others arc added M 

* Ihall bejuft, and all Things being fo pronounced, t(B 

* King by his own Oath on the Altar, before all the 

* Ailcmbly, confirms and promifes, that he will keep 

* and obfersre Ihc fame. 

Then follow the Objeflions or Articles againft the 
Kine, touching his Depofiiion. 

IMprimis, It is objected ag.iinft King Richard, that 
whereas by Reafon of his ill Government, viz. Hi* 
■tiwit bim. giving away the Goods and PoiTeflions belonging lo his 
Crown, and that to Perfons unworthy ; and his indif- 
creet fquandering the fame away otherwiie, and to that 
End impofing, without Caufc, CoUeflions and other 
grievous Burthens on his People, more than they were 
able to bear ; andalfo innumerable other Evils by his 
Ailent and Command perpetrated ; there were by the 
whole Parliament certain Prelates, and others, Tempo- 
r.d Lords, elefted and alligncd, who might with all 
their Power, and at their own Charges, faithfully la- 
bour about the juft Government of the Realm : Yet 
iheKingcaulinga Conventicle to be held by him, with 
his Accomplices, the faid LorJs, as well Spiritual aa 
Temporal, fo occupy'd about ihe Safety and Profit of 
the Kingdom, did propofc to impeach of High Trea- 
foai 



I 



0/ E N G L A N D. 13 

ion ; and did violently draw ihe Judges of the King-jy^ jj j^ 
dom, for fear of Death and Corporal Tortures, lo fuch ' 

his wicked Purpofe, moil vigoroully driving to deftroy 
the faid Lords (mj. 

II. The faid King lately at Shrnvsbury, caufed {eve 
ral, and the greater Part of I he Judges, to come before 
him and his Favourites privately Jii a Chamber, and by 
Menaces, and various Terrors, and fuch Affrightments 
as might fall even upon Men of conflani Reiolutions, 
didinduce, caufe, and compel them feverally to anfwer 
certain Queftions there propounded, on the Behalf of the 
King ; concerning the Laws of his Kingdom, belides, 
and againft their Will, andotherwife than they would 
have anfwcred, had they been at Liberty and unforc'd. 
By Colour of which Anfwers, the faid King purpofed to 
have proceeded afterwards to the Deftrudion of 7/jemas 
Duke of Glmcefter, and the Earlsof ^rmrfif/and IFar- 
tviiiy and other Lords, againft wliofe Deeds and Beha- 
viourlhe faid King was much incenfed, chieRy becaufc 
they delit'd the faid King to be under good Guidance j 
but Providence withftanding it, by the RefiHance and 
Power of the faid Lords, the King was not able to bring 
ruch his Defign to Efftft (n). 

III. When the Lordj Temporal defending them- 
ielvcs, had withftood his Malice and Fraud, and the 
faid King had prelix'd a Day for holding his Parliament, 
to do them and oiher Inhabitants of the Realm, Juftice 
in that Behalf, and the faid Temporal Lords, were 
quietly and peaceably gone home, and at reft in their 
Houfes, in Hope and Confidence of the faid Parliament, 
the King fecretly fent the Duke of Irikid with his Let- 
ters and Standard towards Chejler, and there gathered 
Multitudes in Arms, and caufed them to rite againit the 
faid Lords, the Nobles of the Ktngi'om, and Servants 
of the State, publickly eretfling his Standard againft 
the Peace which he had fworn to keep. From whence 
Slaughters of Men, Captivities, Dinentions, and other 
infinite Mifchiefs, did enl'ue throughout the whole 
Kingdom ; by which A&. he became guilty of Per- 

^UV. Although the laid King had in full- Parliament, 

V (m) Vpl. I, p,t«o. (n) liiJ. p, 48J. f») liU. p. 4SI. 




1 4 7be TarUamentary H i s T o r r 

King Henry IV. w"^ by the Aflent thereof, pardoned the faid DuVeot 

'Ghtejier, and Earls of //raff;///, and fVaraiiiky and'al 
their AlTiilants, and others, all Ofiences ; and had fd 
many Years (hewn Signs of Peace and Love, to thi 
faid Duke and Earts, and to the reft appeared with 4 
pleafant and benign Counienance. Yet the faid King 
~ always and coniiruslly bearing Gal! in his Heart, (Mi 
at Uft, taking an Oppormnity, caufe the faid DulEe 
Ckceflery the Uncle of him the faid King, and alio tl 
' Son of Edward the laie King of EngTand, of hapj^ 
Memory, and Conftable of £1^/3^1/, then humbly g^ 
ing to meet the faid King, in folemn Proceflion ; and 
the laid Earls of Arundel, and fVarwick, to be taken, 
and arrefted ; and him the faid Duke out of the Kiog- 
doni of England, to the Town of Calais, did caufe to be 
led, and thereimprifoned, and under the Cuftody of the 
Earl of Noitinghant, one of the Appellors of the fa'ri 
Duke, detained, and without Anfwer, or any lawfid 
Proccfs whaifoever, did inhumanly and cruelly caufe 
lo be fuffocaied, ftrangled, and murdered. And the 
Earl of Arundel, though he pleaded as well the Gene- 
ral Pardon, as a Pardon afterwards to him fpecially 
granted, and defired Juftice to be done him, yet in hb 
Parliament, encompalled wiih armed Men, and innu- 
merable Archers of the People by him gathered to that 
Purpofehy Prefling, did damnably caufe to be behead- 
ed. And the Earl of ffarwkk, and Lord Cebham, did 
Commit to perpetual Imprifonment ; wickedly and a- 
gninft Juftice, and the Laws of his Kingdom, and hii 
cxprefs Oath, coniilcating their Lands and Tenements, 
as well Fce-fimple, as Fee-tail, from ihem and their 
; Heirs, and giving the fame to their Appellors (p). 

V. At the fame Time, that the King in his Parlia- 
ment caufsd the Duke oi Gloi:eJier, and Earls of .^f^wi- 
del and Warwki, xo be adjudged, that he might more 
freely exercife his Cruelly upon them, and accomplifh 
his injurious Will in other Matters, he gathered to 
himfelf a great Multitude of Malefaifiors of the Coiin^. 
of Chcfltr ; of whom fome paifitig with the King 
through the Kingdom, as well within the King's Pa- 
lace as without, did cruelly kill the Liege Subjefls of 
ihB 
f/.jvoi.r. p. 469. tf'. 



Of ENGLAND. 



the ICtngiiom, and fome they bea t and wounded, and Kiag Ucai; rv, 
did plunder the Goods of the People, and refufe lo pay 
for their Viftuak, and did ravifti and violate their 
Wives, and other Women ; and though there were 
, grievous Complaints, of fuch their ExcelJes, brought 
to the Hearing of the faid King, yet the faid King did 
Dot regard to caufe Jullice to be done, or any Remedy 
thereupon, but did favour the faid Troops in luch 
their Evil-Doings, trufting in them and their Guard, 
againft all others of his Kingdom ;for which Caufe, 
the faithful People of his Kingdom had great Matter 
of Commotion and Indignation (<i}. 

VI. Although ihe faid King by his Writs, caufed 
Proclamation to be made throughout the whole King- 
dom, that he had caufed his Uncle the Duke of Gk- 
ttfiir^ and the Earls of Arundel and Ifiirtvkiy to be 

^taken and arretted, notforany Aflemblings or Troop- 
ings by them formerly made within the Kingdom of 
Englandy but for very many Extortions, Oppreflions, 
and other Things by them afterwards done, and per- 
petrated, againft his Royalty, and Kingly Majefty ; 
And that it was not his Intention, that any of the Fa- 
mily of the faid Duke, and Earls, or of their Follow- 
ers at ibe Time of fuch Atfembling, and Trooping, 
fliould for that Occafion be molefte, or aggrieved i 
yet the faid King, at hft, in bis Parliament, did not 
impeach the faid Lords for Extortions, Oppreflions, or 
any fuch Matters, but for the Aflemblings and Troop- 
ings aforefaid did adjudge them to Death ; and very 
many of the Family of the l^id Lords, and others, who 
were following them at the Time of fuch their Aflem- 
bling, and Trooping, he did, for Fear of Death, force 
to make F^ne and Ranfom, as Traitors or Rebels, to 
the great Deflruftion of a great Number of his People. 
And fo he did futiilely, fraudulently, and malicioufly 
deceive Ihe faid Lords, and their Domellics, and the Peo- 
ple of his Kingdom fr), 

VII. After very many of thofe Perfons fo making 
Fine and Ranfom, had obtained of the King, his Let- 
ters Patent of lull Pardon in the Prf-niiles, ihey could 
not reap any Commodity by fuch Letters of Pardon, 

'tfll 

(f) Vol. I, p. 488. {r) Ii;j. p. 466. 



1 6 The Parliamentary H i s T o R r 



iarJ 
ipo-| 



KiDBHtnryiv.'t''! they had made new Fines, and Hanfoms, for_. _. 
ing of their Life, whereby very many were impo- 
verifii'd ; which was a great Derivation and Diflionoui 
10 the Name and State of a King- 

VIII. In the laftParJiament held at ^Sr^w^ari', the 
faid King purpofing to opprels his People, fubtlely, 
procured, and caufed it to be granted, that ihei^iJu;*;*. 
if the Parliament, by the CenfenI of the Statu of tbir^ 
Kingdom, flimld nmain in ceriain Perfsni% to determine^ 
after the DiJJbkttBn ef the Parliament, certain Petiti- . 
9ns in the fatd Parliament exhibited, hut then not dij^ 
patched. Bj Colour of which Grant, the Perlbns jb. 
deputed proceeded to other Things generally touching, 
that Parliament. And ihis with the Will of the King} 
in Derogation oF the Stale of Parliament, and the great, 
Damage of the whole Kingdom, and pernicious Ex- 
ample. And that they might feem to have fome Co-. 
lour and Authority, for fuch their Doings, the Kii 
caufed the Parliament Rolls to be altered and blotted 
his Pleafure, againft the Effeft of the faid Grant (s). 

IX. Nolwiihftanding the faid King at hit Coronatio 
had fworn, 7hat in all his Judgme/its, he would eat^ 
la be done equal and right JuHice, and Difcretiea, i 
Mercy and Truth, according to his Power j yet the fai 
Kingtigoroufly, withoutall Mercy, did, amongft othi 
Things, ordain, under grievous Penalties, that none 
fliould fue for any Favour, or intercede with the fau 
King, for Henry Duke of Lamafler, being baniflied^ 
whereby the faid King did aft againft the Bond of Cha? 
rity, rathly violating his Oath aforefaid [t). 

X. Although the Crown of the Kingdom of Eng 
1 land, and the Rights of the faid Crown, and the King* 

dom itfelf, have in all Time paft, been fo free, that 
our Lord the Pope, nor any other without the King- 
dom, ought to concern himfelf about the fame ; yet 
the aforelaid King, for the Corroboration of fuch his 
erroneous Statutes, did make Supplication to our Lord 
the Pope, that he would confirm the St.itutes ordain'd 
in his laft Pariiament, whereupon our Lord the Pope 
granted \\\.% Aprflohck Letters, in which grievous Cenfurc* 
arc denounced againft any that fhould prefume in anj^ 
Thim 
0) Hid.?. 4)1, /■0'W.p.49s. 



■ 0/ E N G L A N D. 17 

^^Hig to ai^t contrary to the faid Statutes; all which King Henty IV. 
^^ftwell known to tend againft the Crown, and Royal 
^Hniiy, and agaiuft the Statutes and Liberties of the 

^^Al. Although ihe Loi'd Henry, now Duke of Lim- 
tajltr, by the King's Command had preferred his Bill 
Touching the Siuu and Honour ef the King, againft the 
Duke of Norfolk, anJ the fame had duly profecuted i 
ft) that according to the King's Order, he had exhibit- 
ed himfelf in all Points prepared for the Combaic. And 
Ihc faid King harl declared, ijiat the faid Duke of 
Lancajler had honourably performed his Devoir as much 
as in him lay, and this by a Decree publickly pro- 
claimed before all the People affembled at the faid 
Combate : YeC the faid King, without any legal Rea- 
fon whatfoever, did caulb and command the fnid Duke 
to be baoiih'd for ten Years, againft all Juftice, and 
the Laws and Cuftoms of this Kingdom, and the Law 
of War in that Behalf, thereby damnably incurring 
Perjury (*). 

XII. After the faid King had gracioufly granted by 
his Letters Patctils, to the Lord Htnry now Duke of 
Lancafler, that in his Abfence whilft he was banifti'd, 
his Genera! Atiornies might piofecute for Livery to 
him to be made of all Manner of Inheritance or Suc- 
ceflions belonging unto him, and that his Homage 
Ihould be refpited, paying a certain reafooable Fine ; he 
injurioufly did revoke the faid Letters Patent, againft 
the Laws of the Land, thereby incurring the Crime of 
Perjury {y). 

XlIL Notwithftanding that it was Enafted, that 
every Year the Officers of the King, with his Juftices 
and others of the King's Council, {houtd choole She- 
riffs for all the Counties of England, and name them to 
,.-Our Lord the King, according as to their Dilcretion 
d Confcience ftiould feem expedient, for the Good 
i Utility of the Kingdom, the faid King hath caufed 
Hbns to be made SberiKs, net fi mminated or eltcted^ 
fcolhers according to the Capricio's of his Pleafure, 
■etimes his Favourites or Creatures, and fometimes 
li as he knew would not oppolc his Humour, for his 
. IL B own 

) Set tefore, Vol. I. p, ^ift. («) mi. p. +94. (j) Hii. p. 41,1. 



1 8 The Parliamentary History m 

, ^^^P^ >■*'• own and others private Advantage, lo the great Gifl 
Vance of his People, and againft ihe Laws oi his KingJ 
dom, thereby notorioufly incurring Perjury, (z) 

'XIV. At Tuch Time asthe aforefaid King requefted. 
and hail ot very many Lords and others of his King- 
dom, divers Sums of Money by way of Loan, to be 
paid again at a cert in Term, notwiihftanding the laH' 
King faithfully promifed by his feveial Letters Paie« 
to the feveral Ptrfons of whom he borrowed the laid 
Monies, that at the Term iimittd asatorefaid, he would 
repay the fame ; yet he did not fulfil fuch his Promifed 
nor arc they yet fatisfied the faid Monica, whereby 
fuch Creditors are much agrieved, and not only they, 
but many others of the Kingdom repute the King un- 
faithful, * 

XV. Whereas the King of England, by the Revenue 
of his Kingdom, and the Patrimony btlonginp; to hil 
Crown, is able to live honeftly, without the OppreDi- 
on of his People, as long as the Kingdom is not bur- 
den'd with the Charge of Wars ; yet the fiid King, in 
a Manner for his whole Time during the IVuces be- 
tween the Kingdom of England and its Adveifarit^ 
haih not only given away a great, yea indeed the great- 
eft Part of h:S laid Patrimony, and this to unwort^ 
Perfonsi but alfo hath further impofed on his SuhjcM 
lb many Burthens of Monies granted, as it were every 
Year of his Reign, that thereby he hath extremely aaS 
* tooexcefiivelyoppreffeJ his People, to the 1 mpoveri&» 

- ment of his Kingdom ; not converting the Goods ft 
levied to the Commodity and Profit of ihi; Kingdom tf' 
England, but prodigally Iquandering it sway for tl3' 
Ortentation of hisName, and in Fomp and Vain-Gltrf 
ry : Whilft great Sums of Money are owing in h^^ 
Kingdom for the Vifluals of his Houfliold, and oihdf 
Things bought, though he hith abounded with Ricb^ 
and Treafurt's more thaji any of his Prc^eni;ors. Ji 
XVL The faid King not willing to keep or prote(|' 
the juft Laws and Cufloms of his Kingdom, but ac» 
cording to his Arbitrary Will to do whaiioever fliouU^ 
occur to his Defires ; fomeiimcs and very ofien, whM- 
the Laws of his Kingdom have been expounded anl: 
dcciarel- 

ki= J 



0/ ENGLAND. 



'9 



declared to him by the Judges and others of his Couij- King Htwy IV j 

oil, and [hac (hey have defired ihat iie would do Jullice 

according lo ihofe Laws, hath exprefly and wiih aa 

angry and haughty Countenance, faid, ^hnt hit Lawt 

were in his Mouth ; and fomctiines. That thty wcrt in 

bis Bre!2fl: And, that He himfelf ahne tould make and 

(hange the Laws ef his Kingdom : And being feduced 

with that Opinion, did not llifier Jullice to be done 

to very many of his Liege People, but by Threats and 

Terrors hath forced very many lo ccafe from the Pro- 

fecution of Common Juftice. 

XVII. That aficr certain Statutes had been nude in 
Parliament, which always bind till they are fpeclally 
revok'd by ihe Auihority of another Parliament ; the 
did King deliring to enjoy fuch Liberty tJiat no fuch 
Statutes (hould fo bind him, but that he might do and 
esecuie his Pleafure, fubtilly procured a Petition to be 
preferred in hia Parliament on Behalf of the Common- 
alty of his Kingdom, and to be granted to him in gene- 
nd, That he might he as fret as any ef his Pregeniton 
were before him : By Colour of which Petition and 
Conceffion the faid King hath very often commanded 
Tery many Things to be done againft ftich Statutes un- 
ni>ealcd ; aifting therein cxprefl/ and knowingly againit 
hb Oath taken in his Coronation, as aforefeid (a), 

XVIIL Although it was EnadeJ and Ordained, 
Out no SheriiF fliould hold his Office above one Year 
together, but that three Years flioutd pjfs, before he 
■ " be again admitted to that Office ; the faid King 
■d fometimes for his own lingle Commodity, and 
imes at the Inftance of others for their Advati- 
hath permitted and caufed certain SheriiFs to 
and remain continually in their Offices, fometimes 
fometimes three Years, againft the Tenor and 
of the Statute aforefaid, thereby incurring Pcr- 
and this is notorious, publick, and generally ill 
of. 

Although by the Statute and Cuftom of his 

in the calling together of every Parliament, his 

in the fcvera! Counties of the Kingdom ought 

R in chooling and deputing two Knights to be 

B 2 prcfenl 

(a) Stt Vol. I. ; 





10 The Tarliamentary H ! s t o n. i 

Um Htm IV. present in fiicl) Parliament for each refpeflive Coi 
and to declare their Grievances, and to profecutt 
Remedies thereupon, as to them fha!! fecm expe 
Yet the aforefaid King, that in his Parliamei 
might be abic more freely to accomplifh the Effc 
his Head-ftrong Will, did very often direct his 
mands to his SherifTs, that they fliould caufe to 
to his Parliaments as Knights of the Shire, certaii 
fons by the laki King named {^),which Knights be 
Favourites he might lead, as often he had 
fometimes by various Menaces and Terrors, and 
times by Gifts, to confent to thofc Things as we 
judicial to the Kingdom, and exceeding burdenfo 
the People j and cfpecially to grant Co the faid F 
SubfKly on Wool for the Term of his Life, anc 
thcr Subfidy for certain Years, thereby too grie' 
OpprefTing his People (c). 

XX, The (Ad King, that lie might more free! 
fil and follow in every Thing his own Arbitrary 
did unlawfully caufe and command. That theS 
throughout his whole Realm, befides their ancie 
cuftomed Oath, fhould fwear that they would ot 
his Command?, as often as they fliould be direfi 
ihem, under his Great and Privy Seal, and a' 
Letters under his Signet : And that in cafe tl 
Sheriffs fhould come to know that any withii 
Bailiwicks, of whatfoei-er Condition they wen 
publickty or fecretly faid or fpoken any 111, that 
tend to the Difgrace or Scandal of his Royal P 
they ftiould arreft and imprifon them, there faf 
be kept Mil they fhould receive Command fro 
Kmg to the contrary, as may be found in the Re 
which Fait may probably tend to the Dcftruft 
many of the Liege People of the faid Kingdom. 

XaI. The faid King ftriving to trample undei 
his People, and fiibtilly to acquire their Goods to 
felf, that he might abound in fupciflucus Riche; 
caufe the People of Seventeen Counties of the I 
to fubmic themfelves to the King as Traitors, bj 
ters under their Seals ; by Colour whereof he got n 
Sums of Money to be granted him by the Clerg; 



I 

I 



} 



(*) s« Vol. I. p. 406. (0 liiJ. p. 4S6. 



C^ ENGLAND. at 

pie of tfaafe Counda, for obtsuning bii Rqjral Good- KkgHmfPr^ 
II and Favour : And though to pleale the People, 
King had caufed thole obligatory Letten to be re* 
ed, yet the Procuraton of the People -having full 
m granted them to oblige themfelves and their 
n to the faid King ; he the faid King caufed them 
er their Seab to be bound to him in the Name dF 
iaid People, and fo deceived his People, and fubtil* 
nttorted from them their Goods. 
CXIL Althou^ the faid King at his Coronation 
fwom to keep the Liberties granted to the Church 
Ingland^ yet the iaid King, by Realbn of his Voy- 
into Jrelind^ did by his Letters commwd verr 
ly Religious Peribns, viz. Abbots and Prion of his 
gdom, ftrifUy requiring that fome of them (hould 
I to him certain Horfes ; and fome of them not 
f Hories, but alfo Waggons and Carriages for his 
Voyage, or in Lku thereof great SUms of Money 
the iaid Letters exprefled : By which Manner of 
iting, he forced many of fuch Religious out of Fear 
Ulfii his Will and Command, whereby they were 
irily impoveriih'd and opprefiM, in manueft Deroga- 
I cff Ecdefiaftical Liberty ; by which Pretext the 
Eling Ridfard did incur Penury. 
[XIU. In moft of the great Royal Councils, when 
Lords of the Realm, the Judga and others, being 
g'd that they would iaithfiilly counfel the King in 
ners rdatmg to his State and that of his Kingdom : 
B laid Lords, Juitices, aikl others, very often in gi- 
[ Ccunfel according to their beft Difcretion, have 
1 ^ the King fuddenly and fo fiercely chidden and 
oved, that they have not dared to fpok the Truth, 
jving their Advice for the State of the King and 
gdom (£)• 

IXIV. The Treafure, Crowns, Reliques, and other 
rels, viz. The Goods of the Kingdom, which 
ae out of Mind have been repofited in the Trea- 
' of the Kingdom, for the Honour of the King, 
Preiervation of his Kingdom ag^nft any fudden 
nt or Exigency ; the iaid King going out of his 
gdom into Ireland^ did take away, and cauied the 

B 3 fame 

(W) See Vol. I. P. 406. 



a 2 77;^ Parliamentary H i s T o r t 

( yenrj lY. fimc to be carried with him, wllhtut the Confnt '^ 
ttt Sidtes of tht Kmgdm : Wherebj- xivs Kii^ icm 
hid been vMy impraveriih'd, if God by ihe renlil *^ 
of the ftid Goods jgainft ihc faid King's Will iudii l«: 
oiherwiic provided. And funhermore the taid Bi ■ 
did caufe Ihc Rolls of Records touching theStaten "^ 
Goverament of his Kingdom to be deftroyed and nfe 1» 
to the great Prejudice of his People, and difinhcrini ^ 
of the Crown of the faid Kingdom : And all this, I •*■» 
'tis j-robably believed, in Favour and Support of S *tf5 
Evil Governance. ■ " i 

XXV. The faid King was wont, as it were pel)* ^ 
tually, to be fo variable and diflembting in his Won "i 
and Writing!, and fo contrary, to hinifelf, and ^ 
ciaUy in writing tn the Pope, and to Kings, and ot 
Lords out of the Kingdom, and within it, andalfo 
others his Subjcfls, that no Man living that knew 
Conditions cou!d or would confide in him ; nay, 
was reputed fo unfaithful and unconftant, that it 
came fcandalous not only to his own Peiibn, but 
to the whole Kingdom, and efpecially amongft F( 
reigners of all the World who came to know 
fame. 

XXVI. Although the Lands and Tenements, 
Goods and Chattels of every Freeman, by the Laws rf] 
the Realm ufed from all Time heretofore, ought not 
to be taken from him, unlefs they be forfeited ; Yel 
the faid King purpofing and longing to weaken foch 
Laws, in the Prefcnce of very many Lords, and other! 
of the Commonalty of the Kingdom, hath frequently 
faid and affirm'd. That the Lift of every one of hh, Siih- 
jellii and hs Lands^ tenements, Goids, and Chaitth, 
ore his, the /aid King's, at his Will and Pkafure, with- 
cut any Forfeiture : Which is utterly againft the Laws 
and Cuftoms of the Kingdom afotefaid. 

XXVU. Although it was enafted and ordained, 
and is hitherto confirmed, That no Freeman ihalj be 
taken, nor any way deftroyed j and that tlie King 
flial! not pafs, nor fend any to pafs upon him, but by 
the lawful Judgment of his Peers, or by the Laws oi 
the Land : Yet by the Will, Command and Order d 

i 



0/ E N G L A N D. 13 

e iaid King, very many of bis Liege People being Ki„g Htair r 
alicioufly accufed for having publickly or fecretly 
id fbmething ihai might tend to the Oifpraife, Scan- 
ia or Dirgrace of rhe Perfon of the faid King, have 
en taken and imprisoned, and brought before the 
onftable and Marfhal of England in the Court Miii- 
ry, in which Court ihe laid Liege People being ac- 
ifed would not be admitted to make »ny other An- 
'■«r, thin that they were no way guilty, and would 
aify the fame, and defend themfelves by their Bodies, 
»d not othetwife; noiwiihflanding their Appellors 
'ere young Menj (tout and lofty, and thofe fo accufed, 
icicnt and iropoient, miim d or infirm ; v;hcreby not 
uly D flruition of the Lords and Grandees of the 
"ingdom, but alfi> of all and finguJar Perlbns of the 
Kjmmonaliy of the fame may probably enfue ; Since 
herefoie the laid King hath wilfully aded contrary to 
iKh aJjlaiuie of this Kingdom, 'tis not to be doubled 
Hit he hath thereby incurred the Crime of Perjury. 

XXVI il. Although the People of the Realm of Eng- 
land, by Viriue of their Leigiance, are fully enough 
ouiid to their Kmg ; and the faid King, by the Laws 
nd Cuftoms of his Kingdom, is enabled to ccrrciSt and 
uiufh his People, if in any Kind they tnngrefs ; yet 
he faid King deiiring to trample on, and too much 
pprefs his People, that he might the more freely exe- 
ute and follow the Humour of his foolifh and unlawful 
ViU, by his Letters to ail the Counties of his King- 
om, did enjoin and command. That all his Subjeifts, as 
irell Spiritual as Temporal, fliculd take certain Oaihs 
a general, which were too )jr;evous to them, and 
?hichmightprobablycaufethe final Deftruftionof hts 
^eople i and that they fhould confirm fuch their Oaths 
indertheir Letrersand Seals. To which Royal Com- 
nand, the People of his Kingdom did fubmit and pay 
;>l>edience, that they might not incut his Indignation 
(f Difpleafure, and alfo for Fear of Death f:/). 

XXIX. When Parties contending in the Ecclefiafti^ 
al Court in Caufes meetly Ecciefaltical and Spiritual, 
lad endeavoLTed to obtain from the Chancellor of Eiig~ 
indy Prohibitions to hinder the lawful Procefs in the 

i^id 




24 Tks Parliamentary History 

fCini HtBiy IV. faiil Courts, and the faid Chancellor had juftly refus'tfe 
10 grant the iame : Yet the faid King by Letters under 
his Signet, has frequently prohibited the Ecclefiaftical 
Judges to proceed in I'uch Caufes, thereby evilly infring-* 
ing the Liberties of the Church in the Grand Charter 
approved, to the Conlervation whereof he was fworn, 
and damnably incurring Perjury, and ihe Sentence rf 
Excommunication againft fuch Violatord thereof by the 
Holy Fathers pronounc'd. 

XXX. The faid King without any reafonab'.e oi 
lawful Caufe whatfoever, or any other Procefs of Law^ 
did in his Parliament, encompafs'd in warlike Manner 
by armed Men, adjudge Thama! of ArandeU Lord Arch- 
bifhop oi Canterbury, (Primate of al! England., liis Spiri- 
tual Father, abfenting himfelf by the treacherous Coua- 
fel of the faid King) to Banifhment, againft the Law» 
pf his Kingdom , fo by him fworn to as aforefaid (ey. 

XXXL By Infpeftion of the Teftamem of the fail 
King ; fcaled with the Great and Privy Seal, and ajfi 
■with hi3 Signet, among other Things ihere is containa 
this Claufe or Ariide. ' Jim, We will that ih 

• Refidue of our Gold, {the true Debts of our Houihold^ 

' Chamber, and Wardrobe, being paid, for Payment ■^ 

• whereof we bequeath twenty thoufand Marks, referv- 

• ing to our Executors, five or fix thoufand Marks ; 

* which we will by them to be expended towards the 

* more plentiful Maintenance of the Lepers, and Chap- 

* lains, tu celebrate before them, by us founded at 
' jyeftniinfier, and Bermondifeye^) fhall remain to our 

• Succeflui, provided always that he approve, ratify and 

* confirm, and hold, andcaufe tobe holden, and (irm- 

* ly obferved, all and fingular, the Statutes, Ordinan ■ 

• ces, and Judgments, made, given, and rendered in 
' our Parliament, begun at IVejiminfter the 17th Day 

• of the Month of Stptemhery in the one and twentieth 

' Year of our Reign, and in the fame Parliament, con- 1 

• tini;ed at Shrewibury, and there holden ; and alfo, all 

* the Ordinances, Judgments, and Eftabliihmenis, of 

* the i6ih D.iy of September, in (he 22d Year of our 
' Reign, at CBvemrf ; and afterwards at iftJimin/Ur^ 
' the 8th Djy of March, in the Year aforefaid, by iho. 

' Authority 

if] St= Vol. I. p 465. 



O/' E N G L A N D. 



Authority of the faid Parliatnenc ; and Ukewile Mj^ 
other Ordinances, and Judgments, which fhall here- 
ifter happen to be made by Authority of the faid Par- 
liament. But olherwife, if our faid Succeflbr fliall 
refule to perform the Prcmiiles, (which we do not 
bdieve) then we will that Thomas Duke of Surrej^ 
Edward Duke of Albimarli, John Duke of Ex- 
tttr, 2nd IVilliam h Scrope Earl of tVittJhin, pay- 

* ing firft the Debts of our Houlhold, our Cham- 
' ber, and our Wardrobe, and refcrving five or fix 

thoufand Marks, as aforefaid, Ihall have and hold 
all the faid Refidue abovemeniion'd ; for to fupport 
and defend the faid Statutes, EflabliOiments, Ordi- 

* nances, and Judgments, to their otmoft Power, e- 
' ven unto Death, if it be neceflary ; upon all which, 

and every Part, we do hereby charge and burden their 
Confciences as they will anlwer in the Day of Judg- 
' ineni.' By which Anicle ii may evidently enough 
appear, that the faid King did obftinately ftrive to tnain- 
nin and defend thofe Statutes and Ordinances, which 
are erroneous and unjuft, and repugnant to all Law and 
Reafoo. And this not only during his Life, but after 
his Death too ; neither regarding the Peril of his own 
Soul, nor yet the utter Deilru£lion of his faid Kingdom 
or Lie ge People. 

XXXIL In the i ith Year oi^ the faid King Richard, 
be the laid King, in the Chappel of his Manor of Lang- 
Itf, in the Prefence of the Dukes of Lancader and Yark, 
and very many other Lords, defiring, as it hath appear- 
d, that his Unc!e the Duke of Gbcejltr^ then thero 
prefcnt, (hould fully confide in the good Wilt of him 
the faid King ; did voluntarily and of his own Accord, 
fffear before the venerable Sdcrament of the Lord's Bo- 
dy, there placed upon the Altar, thatthenccforwardshe 
Would never endammage, trouble, or grieve him, the 
bid Duke of Ghctfter, for any of his Deeds which were 
hid to have been committed againft thePerfon of him 
the faid King, but did cheerfully and totally forgive 
Wm all his Offence, if any were. Yet afterwarde, 
notwithftanding fuch Oath, the faid King did horribljr 
cruelly aufe the faid Duke to be murder'd, for fuch 
the 




The Tarrmmentary Bistort 

( Hcarj IV. tfic before pretended OSeRces, thereby incurring 
Guiit of damnable Perjury (/). 

XXXIII. After one of the Kntghls of the Shires, 
the faid 'Kingdom, having a Voice in Parliament, h 
impeachM the f^id Thomas, Archbiftiop of Canterkrj, 
upon certain Defa. Us, commitied againft the.King'i 
Majefty. as was untruly fuggefted ; and the Aid Atdt- 
Nftiop, prefcntt}" then and there offered himfelf ready 
anfwer the Maiteischarged upon him ; and defired 
he might be ihcreunto admitted by ihe King, 
doubting, as he faid, bui he {houid be able fuffidf 
to fliew his Innocence : Yet the faid King, contrii 
by all the Ways and Meins he could, to opprefs lli'fc 
faid Archb;fliop of Canterbury, and ruin his Eftate, 
the Event of the Matter has declared, fpeaking gra» 
oufly, and with a chearful Countenance to the ^n 
Archhifhop, from hia Royal Seat, did advife, and Yay'ln 
eameftly requeit him, that at that Time, he wodd'k 
hold his Peace, and expert a better and more fit Time 
to make his Defence {g) ; which Day being palled, llB 
laid King from Day to Day, for Five Days or tnoici 
did fraudulently and treacheroufly deceive the £h1 
Archbifliop, counfellinghira, and perfuading him, thil 
he ftiDuld not come to the Parliament, but wait A j 
home without any Fear j becaufe, as the faid Kiog 
faithfully did promife him, there fliould not in his Ab- 1 
fence any Lofs or Prejudice be done or happen to him. 
Notwiibftanding ail which, the faid King, in bis Par- 
liament aforefaid, did in the mean Time adjudge the 
faid Archbifliop to be baniflied, during the King's Pie*- 
furc, (hough abfent, and never any way called to an- 
fwer, and without any reafonable Caufc whatfocveri 
and alfo voluntarily, againft the Laws of the Kingdom 
and all Juftice, confifcated all his Goods, whereby he 
likewife became guilty of Perjury. But furthennore, 
the laid King being willing to paliate his Malice and 
Subtilty, by flattering Difcourfes which he oft-times 
had with the faid Archbifhop, did endeavour lo cleat 
himfelf of fuch Injury done, and make as If it were 
the Doings of others ; infomuch that the Archbifhop 
difcourfing with the King, and with the Duke of Nor- 

fill, 

(/) See Vol. I. P. 476. (z) Ihid, p. 4GG. 




Of ENGLAND. 



27 



/ift, and other Lords, and great Men of the King-Ki, Hnuynu' 
dwn ; happen'd 10 fay by way of lameniirg hisown 
Condition, * That he was not the firft that hajl fuifer- 
' ed Banifliment, nor fhould he be the hft ; for he 
* ijioughl in a Ihort Time the Duke of Noifelk, and 
' ether Lords would follow him ; and confiJently a- 
' verred to the King, That all the Rigour of thefe Pro- 
' ceedings would finally be returned back on his own 
' Head.* To which the faid King, as aftoniftied, ha- 
ftily replied. That he verily thought it might fa happen ; 
and that he himjelf might and indetd ought to bi tx- 
ttlPd his Kingdom by his Liege People. And further the 
iMd King faid. That if the fame Jhould happen. He 
would convey kimfelf to the fame Place, where the faid 
irchbifhop fbould be. And that the Archbiihop might 
ihc rather credit his Words, he fliewed him a certain 
great Jewel (i)y curiouily formed, underneath the 
Skirt of his outward Vellment ; intimating for certain, 
to the faid Archbifljop, that whenever he ihould fend 
that Jewel for a Token, he would not delay to come 
thither, where the faid Archbiftiop ibould be relident : 
And that the faid Archbiftiop might more confide in 
iim ; the faid King fent to him, advifmg him, that he 
Ibould privately fend all hb Jewels, and other Things 
of Valiie, belonging to his Chapel, unto him the faid 
^g, for the fafe keeping thereof ; left by Colour of 
tiic tiiefore-mentioned Judgment, any one fliould wrong- 
fully feiie the fame. Which, under the greaieft Confi- 
dence in the World, being done, the faid King caufed 
h)m to repoGte the faid Goods in certain Coffers ; and 
the faid Coffers to be locked up, and fealed by one of 
ihc Archbilhop's Clerks; and keeping the faid Coft'ers 
by him, returned the Keys thereof by the faid Clerk to 
the Archbiihop : Yet afterwards, unknown to the laid 
ArchbiOiop, caufed the faid Coffers to be broken open, 
tad difpofed of the Goods therein, at his Will and Plea- 
fare. Furthermore, the faid King faithfully promiled 
the faid Archbifliop, that if he would bjt repair to the 
Port of Hampton, in order 10 go out of the Realm, he 
Would at lalt, by the Inierceiiion of the Queen, get 
n recalled. And if it fhould happen, that he the 
laid 
(g) Motuli, a BrKti, or TaJ/rf, 




i8 The Tarl'tamentary H 1 8T o g. t I 

;, faid Archbifliop fliould go out of the Realm, he (houfil 
without fail return into England, before Eajler nexP 
following ; nor fliould in any kind lofe his ArchbilhopJ 
rick : And this he faithfully promifed, fwearing upoaj 
the Cfofs of the late Martyr St Thmai, Archbifliop on 
Canterbury, by him the faid King corporally touched n 
All which Promifes notwithftanding, the faid King for- 
ced the faid Archbifliop to depart the Realm ; 
forthwiih tranfmitted jpecial Letters to theApoftolioa 
See, 10 have him tranflated. And fo, and by oihi 
Fntuds, and deceitful Tricks of the faid King, ihcfa 
Archbifhop, being a well-meaiiing believing Man^ w 
fubtilly circumvented. '' 

After the Recital tf the foregBing Articles, tht Recoi 

proceeds thus ; 
* And becaufe it feemed to alt the Eftates of 

* Realm, being asfked iheir Judgments thereupon, 

* well feverally as jointly i that ihefc Cauies of Crii 

* and Defaults were fufficient and notorious to dei 

* the faid King ; confidering alfo his own ConfefliCH 

* of hi" Infufficiency, and other Things contained " 

* his faid Renuncbtion and Ceflion, openly deltvered 

* all the faid States did unanimoufly confent, thi 

* ex abundanti, they (hould proceed unto a Depofi 

* lion of the faid King ; for the greater Security ai" 

* Tranquility of the People, and Benefit of the Kin] 

* dom. Whereupon the faid States and Comma 

* unanimoufly conftiiuted, and pubiickly deputi 

* certain Commiffioners, viz. The Biihop of S 

* Afciph^ ihe Mhoi of Gldjliinbury, the Earl of G/fff^< 
' the Lord Berkeley, Sir Thomas Erpyngham, and S 

* Thomas Grey, Knighrs, and Sir Jfilliam Ihirnynm 

* one of the Juftices, to pafs fuch Sentence of Depofi 
' lion ; and to depofe the faid King Richard, from s 
' Kingly Dignity, Majefty, and Honour, on the Be 
» half and in the Name, and by the Authority of ai 

* the faid States, as in like Cafes, from the antient Cu* 
' ftomof the faid Kingdom hud bcenobrerved(/'). An! 

* forthwith the faid Commiflioncrs taking upon them' 
' felves the Burthen of the faid Commiliion, and fit 

' ting 

{h) See the ProfCFdings Dpan Ihc DenaGlian of Kipf SJwsrd th* 
tocni, ia Vul. I, p. i3i, &t. 




0/ ENGLAND. ly 

|^«n a Tribunal before the faid Royal Chair of King Htnrj IV, 
:e, having firrt had fomc Debate of the Mjtter, 
on the Behalf and in the Name, and by the Au- 
rity afore/aid, pafs the f;Aid Sentence of Depofiii- 
, being reduced into Writing; and ciufed luch ^M 

:ir Sentence to be read and recited by the M<\ Bi- ^H 

)p of St J/aph, their Colleague, by the Will and ^H 

iinmand of the rell of the faid Coinmiflioners : in "^ 

efe Words; 



PP-'e John, Bij?>ep The StBttncttf 



^ thi Name of God, di 

cf St Ahph, johny?4*««/Glaftonbury. thom^l*'?"' . 
hf Glocefter, Thomas Lord Berkeley, Thomas J£^IIj,^_ ' 
jpyrghaiii,ii«ii Thomas Grey, Knights, iindWi- 
Thimyng Jujlict, Comminianeri Jpeciatiy diputeA 
t Matters lender- written, by the Peers and Lords i 

lual and Temporal ef the Hjn^dem ef England, | 

'he Commons of, the jaid Kingdom, rtprefenting all 
K/iaies of the Jaid Realm, fitting in Tribunal ; and 
ig CBnftdered the multiplied PerjurJe!, Cruelty, and 
many other Crimes of the Jaid Richard, tsuchiig 
'ovtrnmini, committed and perpetrated in his King- 
and Deminions aforefaidy during the Time ef his 
rnanee ; all of them before the [aid States, openly and 
ckly propounded, exhibited, and recited ; which hai-t 
and ate fi publick, notorious, manifejl, and ftau- 
\s, that they could not nor can be (oniealed with De- 
ar Excufi . And con/tdering likev/ift the Cenfejfen 
he fdid Richard, acknowledging and reputing, and 
, and of his own certain Knowledge judging, himfelf 
ave been and to be utterly infufficient ana unmeet 
be Rule and Government of ihefaid Kingdoms atd 
liniens, and their Appurtenances, and for juch his 
itus Demerits worthy to be depofid; as by him the 
Richard, xvas before declared, and by his ft ill and 
mand, publiped before the fend States, and made 
lit and expofed to them in the Vulgar Tongue (A) ; 
<ig already had diligent Deliberation upon theje things 
all others, tranfaSied in this Affair before the faid 
fj and us, fVe do, on the Behalf, and in the Name, and 
e Authority to us in this Matter committed, ex abun- 
t^anti, 
(ij Su before, p. S. 



1 8 The Parliamentary H i s T o r t 

)Clfl|Hemy IV. own and others private Advantage, to the great Grifr 5 
vance of his Peoplet and againft the Laws of his King*^ 
dom, thereby notorioufly incurring Perjury, (z) ;, 

'XIV. At fuch Time as the aforefaid King requefted^ 
and had of very many Lords and others of his Kii^ 
dom, divers Sums of Money by way of Loan, to bl 
paid again at a cert in Term, notwithftanding the tiH 
. King faithfully promifed by his fever al Letters Patot^ 
to the feveral Perfons of whom he borrowed tlie fail 
Monies, that at the Term limited as aforefaid, he wool! 
repay the fame ; yet he did not fulfil fuch his Promiftb^ 
nor are they yet fatisfied the faid Monies, wbendif^ 
fuch Creditors are much agrieved, and not only thi^fc. 
but many others of the Kingdom repute the King un- 
faithful. ^ 

XV. Whereas the King of Engkndy by the RevenA 
of his Kingdom, and the Patrimony bebnging to \M 
Crown, is able tp live honeftly, without the Oppreffi* 
on of his People, as long as the Kingdom is not bii9> 
detfd with the Charge of Wars ; yet the faid Kmg, ii 
a Manner for his whole Time during the Truces be- 
tween the Kingdom of England and its Advcrlariai 
hath not only given away a great, yea indeed the greafe*.j 
eft Part of his faid Patrimony, and this to unwortbf ^ 
Perfons; but alfo hath further impofed on his Subjefiil 
fo many Burthens of Monies granted, as it were every j 
Year of his Reign, that thereby he hath extremely apli 
too exceffively oppreffed his People, to the ImpoverUb^j 
- ment of his Kingdom j not converting the Goods m 
levied to the Commodity and Profit of the Kingdom ffl 
England^ but prodigally fquandering it away for th^ 
Oftentaiion of his Name, and in Pomp and Vain-G* ' 
ry : Whilft great Sums of Money are owing in 
Kingdom for the Vidtuals of his Houfhold, and or 
Things bought, though he h ith abounded with 
and Treafurcs more than any of his Progenitors. 

XVL The faid King not willing to keep or pro' 
the juft Laws and Culioms of his Kmgdom, but 
cording to his Arbitrary Will to do whatioever (h< 
occur to his Defires ; fometimes and very often, w 
the Laws of his Kingdom have been expounded a 

(«a)SeeVol. !• p« 4o€« 



0/ ENGLAND. 



^9 



i to him by the Ju^ and oihers of his Coun- Ku,j trav} IV# 
il, and that ihcy have deliicd that Uc Wwuld <]o JulUce 
:rorJing to thofe Laws, haih exprdly and wiih an 
igiy aiid haughty Countcnancei fald, Ihnt his Law$ 
Hrt in his M'l^io; and fomctimes, lint thty vitrt in 
is Brtiiji : And, that He himlilf alette teuld makt end 
iaagt the Levis $f hxi Kingdom : And being fnluced 
rUl) ^hiX Opinion, did nat liifier Jutlice to be done 
) very many of his Liege People, bur by Threats and 
'eirors hilh forced very many lo ccafe from the Pro- 
KUllon of Common Jullice. 

XVIL Tliat after certain Statutes had been made in 
'^Ibmeni, which always bind till ihcy ate rpeciiiily 
rvolt'd by the Authority of another Parliament i the 
il King defiring to enjoy fuch Liberty that no fucb 
tuutes uould lb bind him, but that he might do and 
tecute his Pleafure, fublilly procured a Petition to be 
referred in his Parliament on Behalf of [he Common- 
ly of his Kingdom, and to be granted to him in gene- 
il, T'hat ht might he aifrti as any if hii ProgeniWt 
Hrt befert him : By Colour of which Petition and 
ioncdSon the faid King hath very often commanded 
cry many Things to be done againft fuch Statutes un- 
•pealed > afiing therein exprefly and kiwwingiy againlc 
b Oaih taken in his Coronation, asaforefaid (a). 

XVIII. Although it was Eriailed and (Drained, 
»t no ShetiS" fhoulJ hold his Office above one Year 
agether, but that three Years fliould pafs, before he 
lo'Jld be again admitted to that Otficc ; the faid King 
tiebard fometimes for his own litigle Commodity, and 
smetinies at the Inftancc of others for their Advan- 
IgE, hath permitted and caufed certain Sheriffs to 
famd and remain continually in their Offices, fometimes 
iro, ibmeiiines three Years, againft the Tenor and 
iife^ of the Stjiuic afotefaid, thereby tncurrirg Pcr- 
(sy ; and this is notorious, publick, and generally ill 
fpoken of. 

XIX. Although by the Statute and Cudom of his 

Realm in the calling logcihcr of every Parliament, his 

l^pte in the fcveral Counties of the Kingdom ought 

to be fiee in choofing and deputing two Kn'^hts to be 

B 2 prefcnt 

(.) St, Vol, 1. J. 4W. 



ao The Parliamentary H i s t o n t 

tin Hetty IV. prefent in fucb Parliament for each refpe£live 0)unt7 
and to declare their Grievances, and to profecute fuel 
Remedies thereupon, as to them (ball feem expedient 
Yet the aforefaid King, that in his Parliaments fa 
mi^t be able more freely to accomplifh the EflFeds c 
bis Head-ftrong Will, did very often direct his Com 
mands to his Sheriffs, that they fhould caufe to com 
to hb Parliaments as Knights of the Shire, certain Pei 
fons by the laid King named (^), which Knights being h 
Favourites he might lead, as often hf had don( 
fometimes bv various Menaces and Terrors, and fotm 
times by Gifts, to confent to thofe Thing? as were pK 
judicial to the Kingdom, and exceeding burdenfome I 
the People ; and efpecially to grant to the faid King 
Subfidy on Wool for the Term if his Lift^ and anc 
ther Subfidy for certain Years, thereby too grievoull 
oppreffing his People (r), 

XX, The {M King, that he might more freely fill 
fil and follow in every Thing his own Arbitrary Will 
did unlawfully caufe and command. That the Sberifl 
throughout his whole Realm, belides their ancient ac 
cuftomed Oath, fhould fwear that they would ob^ a 
his Commands, as often as they fhould be direded t 
them, under his Great and Privy Seal, and alfo b 
Letters under his Signet : And that in cafe the fai 
Sherift fhould come to know that any within thei 
Bailiwicks, of whatfoever Condition they were, ha 
publickly or fecretly faid or fpoken any III, that migfc 
tend to the Difgrace or Scandal of his Royal Perfon 
they fhould arreft and imprifon them, there fafely t 
be kept 'till they fhould receive Command from th 
King to the contrary, as may be found in the Record 
which Faft may probably tend to the Deftruftion c 
many of the Liege People of the faid Kingdom. 

XaL The faid King ftriving to trample under Foo 
his People, and fubtilly to acquire their Goods to him 
felf, that he might abound in fuperfluous Riches, di 
caufe the People of Seventeen Counties of the Realn 
to fubmit themfelvcs to the King as Traitors, by Let 
r ters under their Seals ; by Colour whereof he got m^ht] 

Sums of Money to be granted him by the Clergy am 

People 

W SetVohL p. 4o6« (0 IMU p. 48s. 




i 



(y ENGLAND. at 

Peopfe of tfaofe Countiet, for obtaining bit Royal Good- xii^ Hi«y iv« 

Will and Fayour : And though to pleafe the People, 

the King had caufed thofe obligatory Letters to be re- 

flored, yet the Procuratoxi of the People -having full 

Power granted them to oblige themfelves and their 

Hsin to the £ud King; he the faid King caufed them 

under their Seals to be bound to him in the Name of 

Ae laid People, and 16 deceived his People, and fubtil* 

I7 extorted from them their Goods. 

XXII. Although the iaid King at his GoronatioQ 
had fwom to keep the Liberties granted to the Gliuich 
of England^ yet the laid King, by Reaibn of his Voy- 
age into A^lindf did by his Letters command ver^ 
many Religious Peribns, viz. Abbots and Priors of hu 
y\ Kingdom, ftrifUy requiring that ibme of them (hould 



lead to him certain Horfes ; and fome of them not 
only Hories, but alfo Waggons and Carriages for his 
ftid Voyage, or in Lieu thereof great 9ums of Money 
Id the laid Letters exprefied : Bv which Manner 6£ 
Writing, he forced many of fuch Religbus out of Fear 
to Ailfil his Will and Command, whereby they were 
heavily impoveriQi'd and opprefi^d, in manueft Ueroga- 
tion (X Eorlefiaftical Liberty ; by which Pretext the 
taiKiog Ritiard did incur Perjury. 

XXIIi. In moft of the great Royal Councils, when 
die Lords of the Realm, the Judges and others, being 
diargU that they would fiuthfiilly counfel the King in 
Matters relating to his State and that of his Kingdom : 

^Tbe £dd Loids, Juftices, and others, very often in g>* 
Ting Ccnmfel according to their beft Difcretion, have 
leen by the King fuddenly and fo fiercely chidden and 
reproved, that they have not dared to (fok the Truth, 

l n giving their Advice for the State or the King and 
Kingdom Id). 

XXIV. The Treafure, Crowns, Reliques, and other 
Jewels, viz. The Goods of the Kingdom, which 
Time out of Mind have been re|X)fited in the Trea- 
fiiry of the Kingdom, for the Honour of the Kmg, 
and Prefervation of his Kingdom againft any fuddra 
Event or Exig^cy ; the laid King going out of his 
^gdom into Ireland^ did take away, nA caufed the 

B 3 - fame 

(^) See Vol. I. P. 406. 



3« 

S 

in 

Ct' 

It/ 
li 



oa. The parliamentary KisroKY 

m^g Htfuy JV. fame to be carried with him; without tb$ Confent ^ 

thi States of the Kingdcm: Whereby this Kingdom' 

had been vaftly impoveriih'd, if God by the retakir^;- 

of the iaid Good9 againft the faid King's Will had not 

other wile provided. And furthermore the faid King^ 

did caufe the Rolls of Records touching the State and t 

Government of his Kingdom to be deftroyed and rafedi i: 

to the great Prejudice of his People, and difinheriting Y- 

of the Crown of the faid Kingdom : And all this, as iL 

^tis probably believed, in Favour and Support of his "i 

Evil Governance, x 

.XXV- The faid King was wont, as it were petpe* ^ 

tually, to be fo variable and- diifembling in his Words i\ 

smd Writings, and fo contrary^ to himfelf, and cfpc- 5 

dally in writing to the Pope, and to Kings, and other \ 

Lords out of the Kingdom, and within it, and alfo to ^ 

others his Subjects, that no Man living that knew h» % 

Conditions couSd or would confide in him ; nay, he -^ 

was reputed fo unfaithful and unconftant, that it be-' \ 

, came fcandalous hot only to hts own Peifon, but alfi) ) 

to the whole Kbgdom, and efpecially amongft Fo- ii 

reigners of all the World who came to know tbo r 

fame. ;: 

XXVI. Although the Lands and Tenements, the i 
Goods and Chattels of evenr Freeman, by the Laws of i 
the Realm ufed from all Time heretofore, ought not' \ 
to be taken from him, unlefs they be forfeited : Yet j 
the faid King purpoling and longing to weaken fuch . 
Laws, in the Prefence of very many Lords, and otben , 
of the Commonalty of the Kingdom, hath frequently i 
faid and affirm*d, That the Life of every one of hi^SiA* \ 
Je^Sy and his Lands^ Tenements^ Goodsy and Ciatteb^ ; 
are his^ the faid Kng^s^ at bis Will and Pleafure^ witb^' 
out any Forfeiture : Which is utterly againft the Laws 
and Cuftoms of the Kingdom afbrefaid. 

XXVIL Although it was enaded and ordained, 
and is hitherto confirmed. That no Freeman (hall be 
taken, nor any way deftroyed i and that the King 
Ihall not pafs, nor fend any to pafs upon him, but by 
the lawful Judgment of his Peers, or by the Laws of 
thp Land ; Yet by the Willi Conunand and Order of 

the 



O/ E N G L A N D. aj 



J> very many of his Liege People being m,, Hb^ iv^ 
cioufly accufed for having publickly or fecredy 
finnething ihat might tend to the Difpraife, Scan- 
or Difgrace of the Perfon of the (aid King, have 
1 taken and imprifonedv and brought before the 
.ftable and Maribal of England in the Court Miii- 
, in which Court the laid Liege People being ac* 
1 would not be admitted to make any other An- 
, than that they were no way guilty, and woiild 
J the lame, and defend themfelves by their Bodies^ 
not other wife; notwithftanding their Appellors 
t young Men, fiout and lufty, and thofe fo accufed, 
mt and impotent, maim'd or infirm ; whereby not 
D. ftruftiofl of the Lords and Grandees <tf the 
r|dom, but alfo o^ all and Angular Perfons of the ' 
imonalty of the fame may probably enfue : Since 
sfore the kid King hath wilfully adted contrary to 
a Statute of this Kingdom, 'tis not to be doubted 
le hath thereby incunoi the Crime of Perjury. 
XVI sL Although the People of the Realm of Efig^ 
I by Virtue of their Leigiance, are fully enough 
id to their King ; and the faid King, by the Laws 
Cuftoms of his Kingdom, is enabled to correal and 
th his People, if in any Kind they trangrefi ; yet 
laid King defiring to trample on, and too much 
eft his People, that he might the more fireely exe- 
and follow the Humour of hisfooliOi and unlawful 
i, by his Letters to all the Counties of his King- 
, did enjoin and command. That all his Subjedh, as 
^iritual as Temporal, (hould take certain Oaths 
meral, which were too i^rlevous to them, and 
^naight probably caufe the final Deftruftionof his 
pie s and that they fhould confirm fuch their Oaths 
sr their Letters and Seals. To which Royal Com- 
d, the People of his Kingdom did fubmit and pay 
dience, thai they might not incur his Indignation 
)ifpleafure, and alfo for Fear of Death (d). 
[XIX, When Parties contending in the Ecclefiafti- 
3ourt in Caufes meerly Ecclefialtical and Spiritual, 
endeavoured to obtain from the Chancellor of Eng" 
L Prohibitions to hinder the lawful Procefs in the 

laid 

(dj Sec Vol. f p. 4»6. 



14 7^^ Tarliamentary History 

King Hewy IV. &«! Cdurts, and the laid Chancellor had juftljr rcfiisM 
' to grant the fame : Yet the laid King by Letters under 
his Signet, has frequently prohibited the Ecclefiaftical 
Judges to proceed in I'uch Caufes, ther^y evilly infringe 
ing the Liberties of the Churcn in the Grand Charter 
approved, to the Confervation v^rhercof he was fwcNn, 
and damnably incurring Perjury, and the Sentence of 
Excommunication againft fucb Violators thereof by the 
Holy Fathers pronounc'd. 

AXX. The faid King without any reaibnable or 
lawful Caufe whatfoever, or any other Proceft of Lawt 
did in his Parliament, encompais'd in warlike Manner 
by armed Men» adjudge Thomas oiJrundeU Lord Arch* 
bifliop of Canterbury^ (Primate of all England^ his Spiri- 
tual Father, abfenting himfelf by tlie treacherous Coun* 
fel of the faid King ) to Banifhment, againft the Laws 
of his Kingdom, fo by him fworn to as aforefaid {e). 

XXXL By Infpedion of the Teftament of the &id 
King ; fealed with the Great and Privy Seal, and alfo 
with his Signet, among other Things there is contained 

this Claufe or Article. * Item^ We will that the 

Refidue of our Gold, (the true Debts of our Houiholdf 
Chamber, and Wardrobe, being paid, for Payment 
whereof we bequeath twenty thouiand Marks, tderv-^ 
ing to our Executors, five or fix thoufimd Marks ; 
which we will by them to be expended towards the 
more plentiful Maintenance of the Lepers, and Chap- 
lains, to celebrate before them, by us founded at 
TVeftminfler^ and Birmondifeye^) fliall remain to our 
Succeflor, provided always that he approve, ratify and 
confirm, and hold, and caufe to be holden, and firm* 
ly obferved, all and lingular, the Statutes, Ordinan- 
ces, and Judgments, made, given, and rendered in 
our Parliament, begun at IVeJIminfter the 17th Day 
of the Month of September^ in the one and twentieth 
Year of our Reign, and in the iame Parliament, con- 
tinued at Shrewsbury^ and there holden ; and alfo, all 
the Ordinances, Judgments, and Eltablifhments, of 
the 1 6th Day of Siptmber^ in the aad Year of our 
Reign, at Coventry j and afterwards at Wijiminjler^ 
the 8th Day of Mar ch^ iniheYear aforeliaiid, by the 

* Authority 

(0 See Vol. I. p 465. 



\ 






\ 



i» 



Cf ENGLAND- 15 

' Authority of the f»d Parliament ; and likewife all ^aa% Hun m 
' other Ordinances, and Judgments, which (hall here^ 
'after happen to be made by Authority of the (aid Par- 
^ liament. But otherwile, if our £ud Succeflbr Ihall 
' lefufe to perform the Premife, (which we do not 
' believe) thm we will that Tbmas Duke of Surrn^ 
' E^ard Duke of Albemark^ John Duke of Ek^ 
ner^ and fyiUiam k Scropi Earl of WiltflHn^ pxy-* 
ing firft the Debts of our Houihold, our Cham* 
ber, and our Wardrobe, and refcrving five or fix 
dmifiind Marks, as aforeiaid, (hall have and Ixdd 
all the (aid Refidue abovemention'd ; for to fupport 
and defend the fiiid Statutes, Eftablifhments, Ordi- 
nances, and Judgments, to their ntmoft Power, e-^ 
ven unto Death, if it be neceflary ; upon all wUcb, 
and every Part, we do hereby charge and burden their 
Confciencet as they will anfwer in the Day of Judg- 
ment/ By which Article it may evidently enou^ 
)pear, that the fiiid King did obftinately ftrive to main- 
lin and defend thofe Statutes and Ordinances, which 
e erroneous and unjuft, and repugnant to all Law and 
eafon. And this not only during his Life, but after 
a Death too ; neither re^rding the Peril of hb own 
ml, nor yet the utter Deftrudion of his laid Kingdom 
' LJcgp People* 

XXXIL In the I ith Year of the laid Kmg Richard^ 
! the £ud King, in the Chappel of his Manor of iMttg" 
r, in die Prefence of the Dukes of Lanca/ler txA Tork^ 
A very many other Lords^ defiring, as it hath appear* 
i^ that his Uncle the Duke of Gbciftir^ then there 
lefent, ihould fully confide in the good Will of him 
le iaid King ; did voluntarily and of his own Accord^ 
rear before the venerable Sacrament of the Lord's Bo- 
r, there placed upon the Altar, that thenceforwardshe 
ould never endammage, trouble, or grieve him, die 
id Duke of Gkcefter^ for any of his D^ds which were 
id to have been committed againft the Perfon of him 
le iaid King, but did cheerfully and totally forgive 
Im all his Offence, if any were. Yet afterwards, 
xwithftanding fuch Oath, the faid Kmg did horriblr 
id cruelly caufe the &id Duke to be murder'd, for fuch 

the 



^6 T^e Tarr$amentary History 

S&ic Houy lV.t (^ before pretended Ofiences, thereby incurring t 
Guilt of damnable Perjury (/). 

XX^II. After one of the Knights of the Shires, 
the laid Kingdom, having a Voice in Parliament, h 
impeach'd the feid Thomas^ Archbifhop of Canierbw 
upon certain Defaults, committed againft the^Kinj 
Majefty, as was untruly fuggefted ; and the faid Arc 
bifhop, prefemf^ then and there offered himfelf ready 
anfwer the Matters charged upon him ; and defired tl 
he m^t be thereunto admitted by the King, n 
doubting, as he faid^ but he (hould be able fufficieni 
to fliew hb Innocence : Yet the faid King, contrivi: 
by all the Ways and Means he could, to opprefs t 
faid Archblfhop of Canterbury^ and ruin his Eilate, 
the Event of the Matter has declared, fpeaking grac 
oufly, and with a chearful Countenance to the fs 
^ Archblfhop, from his Royal Seat, did advife, and ve 

eamcftly requeft him, that at that Time, he woi 
. hold his Peace, and expedt a better and more fit Tii 
to make his Defence [g) ; which Day being pafled, t 
£iid King from Day to Day, for Five Days or moi 
did fraudulently and treacherouily deceive the £ 
Archblfhop, counfelling him, and perfuading him, tl 
he (hould not come to the Parliament, but wait 
home without any Fear ; becaufe, as the faid Ki 
faithfully did promife him, there fbould not in his A 
fence any Lofs or Prejudice be done or happen to hii 
Notwiihfbnding all which, the faid King, in his Ps 
liament aforefaid, did in the mean Time adjudge t 
faid Archbifhop to be banifhed, during the King's Pk 
fure, though abfent, and never any way called to a 
fwer, and without any reafonable Caiife whatfoevc 
and alfo voluntarily, againfi the Laws of the Kingdo 
and all Jufiice, coniifcated all his Goods, whereby i 
likcwife became guilty of Perjury. But fiirthermDi 
the laid King being willing to paliate his Malice tl 
Subtilty, by flattering Difcourfes which he oft-tin 
had with the laid Archbifhop, did endeavour to dc 
himfelf of fuch Injury done, and make as if it we 
the Doings of others ; infomuch that the ArchbiflK 
difcourfing with the King, and with the Duke of Ni 
r f0l 

(/} See Vol.1. P.476« (/) Jhid. p. 46(. 



Of ENGLAND. 



27 



K and ciber Lords, and great Men of the Kin^-KiattUtinlV. 
a J happen'd to fay by way of lameniing his own 
indition, ' That he was fioi the fiift ihat ha^ fuBer- 
d Baniihmeni, nor fhould he be the kfl -, for he 
bought in a Ihort Time the Duke of Narfilk, and 
(her Lords would follow him J and confidently a- 
•ened lo the King, That all the Rigour of thefe Pro- 
eedings would finally be returned back on his own 
IttA.' To which the faid King, as afionifhcd, ha- 
v replied. That he venly thsughi it might fi happtn ; 
I that he hlmftlf might and indeid ought to bt tx- 
'i bis Singdtm by his Litgt People. And furlher the 
I King ftid, That if the fame Jhould happen, Ht 
ibtem vey himfelf to the fame Place, -where the faid 
■■bp fiKuU be. And that the Archbifhop mii^hc 
^■ler ctcdii his Words, he fliewed him a cemira 
^Kwd (i)t curioufly formed, underneath the 
fKi his outward Veil mem ; intimating for certain, 
fhe (aid Archbifliop, that whenever he (hould fend 
t Jewel for a Token, he would not delay to come 
her, where the faid Archbifliop fhould be refidcnt : 
d that the faid Atchbiihop might more confide in 
I ; the faid King fent to him, advifing him, that he 
i privately fend all his Jewels, and other Things 
* le, belonging to his Chapel, unto him ihc faid 
for tlie fafe keeping thereof ; left by Colour of 
s-mentioned Judgment, any one fhould wrong- 
c the fame. Which, under the greateft Conh- 
> the World, being done, the faid King cauled 
repoiite the laid Goods in certain Coftcrs ; and 
I Coffers to be locked up, and fealcd by one of 
^bilbop's Clerks J and keeping the faid Colfers 
\ returned the Keys thereof by the laid Clerk to 
bbilhop; Yet afterwards, unknown to the laid 
nop, caufed the faid Coffers to be broken open, 
bled of the Goods therein, at his Will and P!ea- 
^uTlhermore, the faid King faithfully promiled 
fcArdibilhop, that if he would but repair to the 
Kijn^/M, in order to go out of the Realm, he 
t laft, by the Intercellion of the Queen, get 
illed. And if it fhould happen, that he t^ic 
laid 



I 



f8 The Tarliamentary H isT o e t 

HflgHemy iv. ^'^ Archbifhop (hould go out of the Realm, he (hould 
without fail return into England^ before Eqfter next \ 
following ; nor (hould in any kind lofe his Archbiihop- - 
ikk : And this he foithfuUy promifed, fwearing upon 
the Crols of the late Martyr St ThomaSy Archbifliop of j 
Canterburyy by him the faid King corporally touched : ' 
All which Promifes notwithftanding, the laid King for- \ 
ced the faid Archbifliop to depart the Realm ; and ) 
forthwith tranfmitted fpecial Letters to the Apoftolical < 
See, to have him trapflated. And fo, and by other 
Frauds, and deceitful Tricks of the faid King, the iaM 
Archbifhop, being a well-meaning believing Man, w« 
fubtilly circumvented. 

Jfier the Recital $f, the foregoing Articles, tbi ReconI' 

proceeds thus ; 
* And becaufe it feemed to all the Eftatea of the ^ 
^ Realm, being asfked their Judgments thereupon, as i 

* well feverally as jointly ; that tbefe Caufes of Crimet i 
^ and Defaults were funicient and notorious to depofe \ 

'^ the faid King ; confidering alfo his own ConfisfliOQ i 

* of his Infufficiency, and other Things contained in \ 
^ his faid Renunciation and Ceffion, openly delivered X '\ 
^ all the faid States did unanimouily confent, that \ 

* ex abundantij they (hould proceed unto a Depofi^ i 

* tion of the laid King ; for the greater Security and \ 

* Tranquility of the People, and Benefit of the King- ; 
^ dom. Whereupon the faid States and Commons r 

* unanimoufly conftimted, and publickly deputed ^ i, 

* certain Commiffioncrs, viz. The Bifhop of St .^ 

* jtjaph^ the Abbot of Glajlonburyj the Earl of G/^{/?/r, \ 

* the Lord Berkeley ^ Sir Thomas Erpyngham^ and Sir y 

* Thomas Grey^ Knights, and Sir l^lliam 7hirnyfig^ ^ 

* one of the Jufticcs, to pafs fuch Sentence of Depofi- \ 
^ tion ; and to depofe the (aid King RScbard^ from all 

* Kingly Dignity, Majelly, and Honour, on the Be* ^ 
^ half and in the Name, and by the Authority of all 

* the faid States, as in like Cafes, from the antient Cu- 
^ ftom of the faid Kingdom had been obferved {b). And' 1 

^ * forthwith the faid CommifRoners taking upon them- 

' felves the Burthen of the faid Commiflion, and fit-' 

'ting 

{b) See the Proceedtngs open the PepoCtion of Kuig Sdmiard tht .r 
Secondi ia Vol. I. p. i%%, Vt. 






Of ENGLAND. ly 

' ting en t Tribuiul berore the faid Royal Chair of gint KcMy IT* 
' Satei baling firft had fome Debate of the Mjtter, 

* did on the Behalf and in the Name, and by the Au- 

* thcffity afbrefaid, pa& the hid Sentence of Depoliil* 

* on, being reduced into Wnting ; and ciufed fuch 

* thnr Sentence to be read and recited by the laid Bi~ 

* fbop of St JJapbt their Colleague, by the Will and 

* Coaunand of the reft of the laid ComniiSionen : la 

* tbefeWoidsi 

T N tit Nkm* ef Gtd, 4mtn. Wi John, Bijbap The Snun tf 
■ j^&A&i*, John -*&**/ e/Glaftonbury, Thoma«Dv*ti«H« 
Br//GlO£efter, Thomas iarrf Berkeley, TbomaagdljSr' 
de Erpyngbani, tffidThomas Grey, Kmghtt, anJWd- 
liam Thimyng Jyfiic, CunmiJJimtrsJpecialfy dipatli 
U tht Mtttttn vfi^-vmtttn^ vj tht Peer* and Lords 
Sprinial ««i Tempnal of tht Kin%dtm ef Endand, 
mdtht Commons e/.tbtjaid Engdam, rtpriftnttng all 
tht Eftatts tf ibi Jmd Rtalm^ Jilting in Tributml ; and 
hoping anfidtrtd the muliiplitd Perjuries, Cruilly, and 
Wry mai^ ttbtr Crimit ef tht faid Richard, tmcbing 
hit Gntmminty ammittta and perpetrattd in hit King- 
tbms and Dtminitnt aftrtfaid, during tht Time ef bis 
Gtuirnamtt ; all ef thtm befere thi faid Slatei, tpenfy and 
fniUctfy preptundei, enbibtted, and raited ; whuh haie 
ten and art Ji puHei, nttoriaus, maniftjl, and fiaM~ 
iaUus, that tbejr leuld net ner tan be centeekd with Df 
mal tr Kseufi: And cenfidtring liiewift tht CeiftJJien 
tf tht faid Richard, acknwilidging and reputing, and 
truh, and tf bit ewn certain Knewledge judging, him/elf 
te hav* been and tt he utterly injufficitnt and unmeet 
fer the Unit and Gavemment of the faid Kingdoms and 
DtminianSy and their Appurtenances, and for fuch his 
mttrietu' Demerits werthf to be depcfed; as bj him the 
(tti Richard, was befere declared, and by his ffill and 
Cemmend, pvbtijbed befere the faid Staiet, and mad* 
bmmux and txpefed te them in the Vulgar Tengue (A) ; 
hmring ebrtady had diligent DeHberatioa upon theje 7hingt 
tnd aS atberSy tranfaiied in this Affair before the faid 
%tmtts and us. We de, in the Behalf, and in the Name, and 
Ig tbe Jktheritj te as in this Matter ttmmiitcd, ex abun- 
dantii 
('} Ik before, f. S. 



3^ T^e Parliamentary History 

jfCuig Henry iv.danti and for Caution ^ pronounce^ decree^ and decl$n 
him the /aid Richard, to have been, and to be unfit y uu" 
abky and utterly infufficient for^ and unworthy of the 
Rule and Government of the Jaid Kingdoms^ and the Do* 

. ; mifiion^ and Rights^ and Appurtenances of the fame \ and 

for and by Reqfon of the Premiffes^ to be defervedly .i>#- 
pefed ofy and from all Royal Dignity and Honour^ ife^ny 
Thing of fuch Dignity and Honour were yet remaifiing 
in him. And with the fame Caution we do Depofe.bim 
by this our definitive Sentence in fPriting^ exprefly for- 
bidding all and fingular the Lords, Archbifhops, Bt- 
. (hops, and Prelates,. Dukes, MarqueiTes, Earls, Ba- 
rons, Knights,. Vaffiils, and Valvafors, and other Suir 
je^Sy and Liege People of the faid Kingdoms and Domi* 
nioni and other Places to the Jaid Kingdoms and Domi" 
niott belongings that henceforth none of them Jhall any 
way obey or regard the faid Richard, as King or Lord if 
the faid Kingdom and Dominion. 

^ Furthermore, the faid States willing that nothit^ 
(bould be wanting which might be of value, or oughc 
to be required touching the Premifles, being feverally 
interrogated thereupon, did conftitute the fame Per* 
fons that were before nominated Commiflioners, to 
^ be their Procurators, jointh^ and feverally to refiga 
^ and give back to the faid King Richard^ the Homage 
and Fealty to him before made, and to intimate to 
him, if it ihould be requiiite, all the PremiiTes, touch- 
ing fuch his Depbfition and Renunciation. 
^ And then preiently, as foon as it appeared by the 
Premiffes, and the Occafion of them, that the 
Crown of England^ with its Appurtenances was va- 
cant ; the aforefaid Henry Duke of Lancafler^ rifing 
up from his Place, and Handing fo ereded as he might 
conveniently be feen by the People, and humbly for- 
tifying himfelf with the Sign of the Crois on his 
Forehead, and on his Breaft, having alfo iirft called 
upon the Name of Chrifi^ did claim the faid Kingdom, 
fo vacant as aforefaid, with its Crown arid sjl its 
Members and Appurtenances^ iu this Form of Words 
in his Mother Tongue. 



3tt 



E-^-Of E 'N G L A N D.*^ ifi 
HjE jftame of ;JFat)er, ^on, ano igol}* CBofi. 31iaa»HMrjiv. 
enry of Laucafter, iljalcngE tljiS KlIUHE Of Yng- 
t. ano rije Cr;im toicl} all tf)c ipfmbtrs, atio ttje 
Ppurrrnatin-g', a!s 31 tfjat am ni(f(iiti:f, be KiBIJt 
mc off()ESioat. rcmpng fr rljrauct iLoioiSmg 
enry Therde, ano Hjo^fllje tiiflt asigiit rfjat (Soo of ^is 
,^MCf \)ix\\ fnit mte, toitlj ii,flpi of my -Kpn, attu ofHenry'ici^m 
JlJTP JFrfUDis ro recourr it s - fic toiiitlj Keajme tarn " tteCtcwn, 
V* popnt 1 b£ oiirone for nefaut of (UoDfrnaiue, ana 
•^noojing of ttje (iPuoe idateis, 

* After which Claim and Challenge, ss well ihe 

Lords Spiritual as Tempoml, and all ihe States there 

" * preleDt, being fevefally and joinily imerrogated, 

, ' what they tliought of that Claim ; the laid States 

' ' with the whole People, without any Difficulty or De- 

' lay did unanimoufly confent, that the did Djke 

' fhould tcign over ihem. And forthwith, as thefaid 

* King fliewcd to the States of the Kingdjm the Sig- 

- ' net of King Ricfitird, delivered to him as a Token of 

^ * his Will, that he Ihould fuccecd him as aforefaid {i) j 

«■* the faid Ardibifiiop taking the laid Kingiinrj' by 

• the right Hand, led him to the Royal Chair of State: 
(,* And after the faid K.ng kneeling down before it, had 

* prayed a little while, the laid Archbifhop of Ci;/i/^r- 

• 6ury, .Rifted by the Archbiihop of leri, did place the 
' • laid King, and caufe him to fit in the laid Royal 

* Scati all the People wonderfully (houting for Joy. 

* And by and by the faJd Archbithop of Cameri/ury, 
» having with mucfi ado procured Silence from the 
' over-joy'd Multitude, made a fliort Diltourfe, or O- 

• ration in thele Words.' 

Vir dominabitur Populo, jf Man JhaU riigti ever my 
People^ 1 Sam. ix, 17. 
Thefe an the Wardi if the King of Kings, pealing /fl The Arcktiftop 
Samuel. a>!d leaching bint hoo) a Psrfin Jbmld hi qual'-- of Or.teit.u.y'. 
Jitd ti rult, find the Pimple defired to have a King gi- S^^"""^* 
ven. And not unfitly may they be /aid of our Lord the 
jr/jig-, wham we behold this Day ; and if we but mti- 
IteA csnfider thele tf^ards, they afard us Matter of gnat 
' "^ ^ Csnfila 

(0 SKbrffltei p. 10, 




$2. The ^Parliamentary H i s T o r T 

,„ Ctn^Iatlon ; for Ged does not threaten us, tis hi did fsr- 
' merly hit Peeplt by liiiih, faying^ Ifa, tii. I will mak« 
Children to rule over them. But according ta his Cam" 
pajfsofit V)be in his ffrafh remembreth Mercy, ke hatB 
vijitcd his PeopUf and new Children no more, as hereto^ 
fare, Jhall lard it ever them ; for the Lord faith ta them, 
A Man small role. Of the late Rsden of this King- 
dom or any of them, one might have fitly /aid that of tht 
Apoflle, Cor. xiii. I fpake ai a Child, I underllood as a 
Child, I thought as a Child. l>e j^pojllc repeats it 
thrice. As a Child I fpake, I underltood and thought. 
Ji to Speech, 'tis certain thai a Child is unconllant in 
fpeaking, he tofihy Jptais true, and as eafilyfalje, is readf 
in Words ta promije, but what he promifei ht prefently for- 
gets. Now ihefi are Things very inconvenient and dars*< 
gerous in a King ; nor is it piijfible that any Realm JhaU 
JIand long in Happinefi where theje Conditions bear Sway. 
But from fuch Mijchiefi a Kingdom is freed, wbsfe 
Scepier is fivayed by a Man, fir it belongs to a Man 
to fit a watch before his Tongue ; and juch is cur prt- 
fent Happinefs, ever ivhom not a Child, but a Man isfet, 
and fuch en onct ail hope wt may fay of him, Thalia 
Ecclef. ix. Blclled b the Man that hath not erred witfa 
his Tongue. Then faith the Apojik, I underftood as »■ 
Child: Now a Child relifijes nothing but Flatteries and'. 
plealing Things, and underfiands enff Bawbles and Tri-[ 
fles, and laves not one that argues according to Truths ytS | 
indeed hates him beyond all Meafure. But heretofore a- ■ 
mong/l a) Truth was trampled under foot, fi that ttonei 
durjfpeak it; and therefore 'tis plain and apparent enoughji 
that He, that then reign'd underftood as a Child. For 
a Man is not addi^ed to fuch Things, but underfiands 
jyifdem, fa that by tht Grace of God it may be /aid of him, 
es it is written EccM. ix. Bleffed is the Man that a- 
bideth in Wildom. For as a Child is delighted in Vanky, 
fo a Man has Regard to Truth and Wifdom. Tratb 
therefore fliall enter and Vunity depart, which has done 
fi much Mifchiefin our Nation ; for now a Man Jh^ 
rule, who fieis after Truth, and not Vanity or Flattery. 
Thirdly, it is /aid, I thought as a Child, for a Child 
thinks and Hudies en^ hew it have his Humour^ and w 
Thitigi 



J 



0/ E N G L A N D. 33 

'n£S aear/iing to his own Will, a/id not accsrdi/iglPKiDiHtarylv. 
l/en : Herefsre when a Child reigns-, there enly Self- 
Alrei^ns, and Resfan is banij/j'd, rfWConftancy is 
to flighty and great Danger enfuss ; from which 
r%ger we are delivered^ far a Man fhall rule over us j 
«/l, one that fptais mt like a Child i but thus ss sne 

t has the P eTjiSlm of Reafm I come not to do my 

n Will, but the Wiil of him that fent me i lo wit, 
God .■ And therefore offitch a Man we will fay not 
C that he will abide m m/dem, but aifo that as a Man, 
I a Child, he will meditate en the Circumffeliisn of 
W; that is, he will everyway diligently ebfervethat 
od's Will, mt his own, be done -, and fo in thejlead ef 
Child wantoning in faslijh fluhborn Humours, a Man 
lllreign, and Jitch a Man that itjhall be faid of him-~ 
King (ball reign in Wifdom, and he fliall execute 
tdgment, and do Juftice in the Earth. 

• Which Harangue being ended, the faid Lord King 
Henry, to appeafe the Minds of his Subjefls, did then 
ind [here utter ihelc Words : 

kirs. 31 tl)flnfe <I5db arm joIde ^pirituel anD 3remfHn«y'sD«i.rt- 
^I, ant) all the ^XdXss of the iCortci, anD do yitai to tionef Think*. 
'te, it tB nogl)t mp tl^ill t^iit no ^an tfj^nke ttjat 
tnap cf llEonqiiefl % toolo Difljcrit an? Sgan of t)i« 
Titaae, jf jraiicitfs, o? otfjer JKpBljw tijat ijpm osbt 
ijaVic. no put Ijj'tn out of tljat tlj<it ijc ^s.s, anO 1)30 
> br tI]E SiiDE iLatos anD Cuflomff of tlje Ketome • 
rcept tl)ofe iBerfons that ijas betn agan tlje gi'DC 
urpofe anD tije communE ^^o6t of tlje IRetome. 

» And forthwith confidering, that by the former 
Vftcancy of the Royal Throne, by the Ceffwi and Df 
^sfttian aforefaid, alt Power of Juftices, SheriiFs, and 
sthbr Officers, throughout the Kingdom was ceafed ; 
:berefore, to the end that there might be no Failure 
Qor Delay in the Adminiftraiion of Juftice, to the 
3rievance of the People, he caufed principal Officers 
md Juftices to be made and fworn to him with the 
ufual Oaths. And it was immediately proclaimed by 
the King's Command, that on Monday next, after the 
V-oL. 11. ' C ' faid 



34 7Ai^ Tarl'iametttary HisToRi 

i|H«u7lv.t faid Fcaft of Sr. A/<V/w/, a Parliament Qiouldb 

* and celebrated. And that on the Monday I 

* ing, [hat is to fay on the Fcaft of Si. £i 

* (hould be the Gironation of the faid King ai 
■ * mi'i/frr, and ihat all tliofe that could claim an 

* vice in the (aid Coronation fliould come 

' tyhlu-Hall of the Palace, before the Stewanl 

* ftable, and Marflial of England, on SdturdS} 

* before the Day of the laid Parliament, to mat 

* juft Demands in that behalf, and receive Righl 

* in. But as for the (hortning the Day affigced 

* Patliamenr, there was a Proiijiatm made I 

* King, Thai it was not his Intent that iberd 

* Prejudice fliould be brought upon the States 

* Kingdom ; nor that the fame for the future 

* be drawn into Example; Bui that tuch Abbre 
' of Time was only made for the Benefit and 

* of the Kingdom, and efpecially to fare the 1 

* and Expencts of feveral of his People, and li 

* Grievances of the People might be tlie foo 

* medied. 

' After which the Kin^ arlfing from his Royal T 

* and beholding the People with a cheerful and 

* Countenance, retired himfelf from thence, 

* People rejoicing. And the fame D^y in the 

* /i!//aforefaid, made a folemn Feaft to the Not 

* Gentry, there in a vail Multitude aflembled. 

' And afterwards, vz. ofi PVedneJday next foil 

* the before-named Pr«KriJ«ri fo deputed as afi 

* did, according as they were commanded, repa 

* the Prefence of the faid late King Richard, 
■ within the Teiuer aforefaid ; and the faid Sir I 

* Thirnytig the Juftice, for himfelf and his Com] 
' and Fellow-Procurators, in the Name of all th< 

* and People aforefaid, did notify and fully declai 

* the faid Richard, their Admijjwn of his faid Rti 

* t'mi, and the Manner, Caule and Form of fuc 
^'Knccoi Depofi I ion, and prefenily did refign ar 

* back to the faid late King Richard, the Htma, 

* Feaiiy formerly to him made as aforefaid. ' 
.'■theft Words; 



5 

i 



: 0/ E N G L A N D. a 

ts which Wiiliam Thirnyng Jpnie io Monfire Kini Heary IV. 
^ iate King of England, ot the Tower o/'Lon- 
^bis ChambiT, on Wcdnefday next after the 
\St. Michael the Archangel^ -were asfoilBio (0 '■ 
\ is toelE (tnoto to 30111, ttjat tljcr toas a iBar^f ,. wim™ 
B fomcn'D of all tlje Sitates of tljc KfaiimEThirajne-TAc. 
StWeftwjflre, and to begin on tljeTucfJay in^untof.he 
I of tlfc Jftfl of ©t. Michel the airfl).ingrl,convcTfttionbe- 
wflfroaj' ; bp Cdufe of tfte tofjidj SiummonB '*"" "^"e R'- 
fetEfl Of tiiifi loiiQ tocre tlierc aanpr'a, tijc^XTo""' 
ntfja ()OlE maoe tl)C6 fame ^erfoafs tljat bm 
|e to lotoe n:h), lier^fccuratojs, ano gatJeit 
9utD^ite anD ^ottifr, ano E:l)argeD I)nn fo; 
B tnio^OS rf)at toe njall far CO 30hi in Itec 
inti on tljfir fafffalbEj tijaf is to topftm, tijc 
I^Eint Aflk fo^ erabiiliopprs anOBifljoppw, 

i of Glaftenbury fo^ IbDOta .inB $>?IOUr£f, 

tojer SlBrn of Ijol)' Cl]irci)p, ^tcultvs mit 
iLtife (EarlEOf Gioueeare.% ©UfeEB aiiO{£rls, 
t of Berkeley, foj BsronB anil ffianerettefi, 
pnas I/pyngham Cljam'Trlfpii, foj aD tijE 
p snD (Lommons of tliis jiono be ^outfj ; 
6u Grey fo? all tl)e iBacljJlers anti Commons 
lanotnv feiatoe Johan Ma>kham anDmefo? 
pitl) firm fo^ ad tt]e0 States. Slnti (0, sire, 
face, anD tlje Doins tbat Ise fall fav to jotoe, . 
fij^ct) otir ^o^tses but tlje iDcpngff of aQ t^ 

■ tljifl -Lono, anD our Clwrge m Iiec iBame. 
lantoereD anc faif, Srtiat ije topftt toeleHjat 
GaoBbt Tap but SB toe toere cI^argeD. 
|remfmb;!e gotoe tocle iljat un Moneday in 
Bf^niit Michel the aircliaungfi, rpfiljt Ijere in 
rniber, ano in toftat ^^iftnce ie 3Renounc£0 
R of tlje ^tate of Ji>pnBe ano of =(Lo?Ocfl)r|), 
MS tfje ^jpisnite ano Mpriltip that i.-nfieo 
HnD affoilED a0 3our 1 PiSfB; of her Cigeance 
nance that tongeti to 30'tot uppe tfje fourme 
pntneD m tlie fame If^mimciationano CeCt 
Kt) jE reoce 50ur felf bp lOur agoui I], ano af* 
IbpsourillJtfje, anD bpjoiijr otoneilUntma. 

■ I 3t' inaDe mo o^otinta vtiui ^^ocuzi* 
h SrsbiOiop of 2otk anD tlje JSifbaa of Here- ' 

j C . ford, 

ftKirg's Brrcb in the iift Yrar r.l Biibard't Reign, and 
in chE Pirliamenc held uShrtvfinry, his Approbidon of 
1 Law, for which tljc Judgn ba4 been banilhed len 
- Sid •Timfsra muianlur. S« Vol. I. P. 4S3. 




I 



3 6 The Parliamentary H i s t o fj 
Kini Hearr IV ^'""'' ^f ^° nOtific anD 9tc\ixe in 30ur iiian 

'jRtnumWtlOtl aim Ctff.tlH at Wefimynftte to 
^fatffl, anD all t()e ptoplE fijat toaBtl)Ent 
bpcault of tlir ^iimmDiija afbrffaiB, the tot)t 
eon pttlEroaf lii'thcs^-oroajourprocuratou 
torle IjerDc ano iinDfrilouDcn, thrs Kcnumiati 
tfCcntofrEpUndidjanO frelicli accrpteO, a 
lull aorttti bp an rljf fetstra anD people f 
anDDbfr il]i«. Eire. atrl)E"JnflanfeoFaflt(ie« 
ano^foplc. HirrctorfTE ctrtainairticicsonD 
in 50nr ©ouernancE rtODe tljcre. ano tfio tof 
ano pifindicl) iinnrrBoiiBm to all ttje fetatfSl 
ijfm tljoat)t Iirm fo tretof, ann fc noto^ie ann li 
arijatbj' tifo (£fli.'ft», ann bp no otijer, a» tt 
anD Ijato^n? Confiotration to jour cUn aiP 
3cur otKti Si^rniinriation ano CttTicn, tftat 
nottoortf)p, no fufftifntne able foj to Botot 
^ourotont BfmftitFB.aB it is more pltinel 
hmt} tiiertin -, Ijcm tI)ogI)t that tras rffcna 
rauff fo: f Ofpofe ^ctoc, anD Ijcr Commrffari 
tt)t)) mace sno o.iOrin'o. oa it iB of KecorO, 
clarFOan&DfCTftD ano aDjiiBgfC jota fojtjbe 
ana prpiien 5oipf of rije aiBate of i^nig, ani 
%0Tbti[)ip conKineD in tljc 11niumi:itton ann 
fyfapD, anD of an tlie ffiisnite anO aiprfljipf 
an ti}e aiominiflrarion tljat longrD tiiereto. 
iB^ocurato^ to ali tijee states anD ibtople fo, 
tot be f [jaraeo tp Ijnn. anD bp Ijfr aiiitojite sv 
ano in i;Er iRame 3eloe loto uppe fo? all tfte 
ano JBeopIc fo^fapJ), ir^oniafieXfiSE, anO ffeai 
arUirigfaiicr, atio aQ otijcr ISonoeB, CljarS 
^Erfaices tljjt ions tl)Frtto, anD ttjat non of 
etatrs anD people fro tl)p^ tyme fojtoarB 
jctoE JFepilji nc oi jobie SDoeifanre os to tfjai 
aino I)e anlttitrfo ano ftpD, tljat Ije IcfcED i 
aftir, butliefepOf, rijit after afl ti)ia lye Ijoj 
LH 6"flf» * '- ■ - - '- ' — 



0/ E N G L A N D. yj 

er a little Paufe and Expedbtion, the King arofe King Henry nr. 
isSeat^ and fpakc to the Aflcmbly thefc Words, 
^ery like in Effedl, {m) : 

re myfelL that form at thispnfent^ and many hen- Rjchard's Speech 
r, will account my Cafe lament ahk \ either that to the Commt^ 
iefervedthis Deje^ionj if it be jujl ; or if // A^ tee tppointed to 
ih that I could not avoid it. Indeed I do confefs, fi^L, * 
ny Times I haveJheuPd myfelf both lefs provident^ 
painful for the Benefit of the Commonwealthy 
houldy or mighty or intended to do hereafter ; and 
many Anions more refpeSfedthe Jatisfying of my 
riicular Hum:ur^ than either Jufiice to fome pri^ 
rfonsy or the common Good of all ; yet I did not at 
ne either omit Duty or commit Grievance^ upon 
Dul/iefsy or fet Alalice j but partly by Abufe of 
Counjellors^ partly by Error of my youthful Judg- 
Ana now the Remembrance of theje Overfights^ 
^eafant to no Man as to myfelf \ and the rather be^ 
^ave no Means kft^ either to recompence the Inju^ 
ch I have done^ or to teftify to the World my rejor^ 
e^ions^ which Experience and Stayednefs of Years 
ady corre^edy and would daily have framed to more 
m. But whether aU the Imputations wherewith 
irged be true f either in Sub/fance^ or infuch^a- 
ey are laid, or whether being true^ they be fo hei- 

to enforce thefe Extremities ; or whether any 
incey efpecially in the Heat of Touthy and in the 
two and twenty Tears, the Time of my unfortu^ 
f «, doth not fometimes^ either for Advantage^ or 
'pleajiire^ in as deep Manner grieve fome particu- 
^y I will not now examine : It helpeth not to ufe 

neither booteth it to make Complaint \ there is 

left for the one nor Pity for the other : And ' 
I refer it to the Judgment of Godj and your lefs 
•'d Confideraiions, 
Ce no Man^ I blame no Fortune^ I complain of 

1 have no Plea fur e infuch vain and needlefs Com- 
dfllifledto have flood upoti Terms ^ I know I 
It Favcurers Abroad \ and fome Friends^ I hcpe^ 
, who would have been ready j yea forward on my 
\ofei up a biooiy and doubtful War : But lejltem 

C 3 »^i^ 

(r*; ii:> of Kin| Henry IV. P. H6. 



38 T})e Parliamentary History 

KiniHenrrlv. Kit my Dignity at Jo high a Pria, as the Hazari (fj ie 
grtal Valsur^ the SpilHttg if fo much Eng^ Blad, t^" 
I ht Spoil and Wafie of ft Hsurijhing a Rtalm^ mllun 
might have bttn mafwnea. Therefore that the Cimm ll 
wealth may rather rife by m/ Fall, than JJiand^jikth. ig 
in thereof, I wilHngly yield ta your Dtftrti ; and imil 
tome to (iiJ>oJefi 'my/elf of all publici Authority and^it 
and to mate it free and lawful for you to ireatefff Jt 
King, Henry Duie of Lancafter, my Coufm GcwW 
whom I know to be as worthy to take that Place^ as Ippk fe 
wiling to give it to him. 

tttwm'd, TTiere was no farther Butinefs done the firft Diji 

but ihe reading of the above Record, before it * 
Parliament j and the Monday following, being tin t 
Feaft of St Edward, King and Confellbr, was ap- 
pointed for Henry's Coronation, which was performtiii 
,. J , J. at IVeflminfier, with the ufual Ceremonies. 
woii°chDftn"" The next Day the Parliament met again, when iht 
Spraittt on Ihe Commons prefented to the King Sir Js6;; Cheney, fM 
lohn cL°' *" their Spealcer, whom the King accepted, andhemaJe 
■" "°^' the ufual Proicftation, which was ajfo, allowed. M 

the Day following the faid Sir Johnt with the Com- 
mons, came again before the King, and declared, 
that by reafon of a fudJcn Diforder he wras unable 10 
fiTVP, and that they had chofe Sir John Darewaod b 
his Place J befceching the King to allow the faid S( 
"John Darewood xob^S\K7iktT for the Commons. Whidi 
faid Knight, having made the ufual Proieftation, wa* 
allowed as before. 

Then the Commons, with the AfTent of the Bifliops 
and Lords, and in order lo provide for the Wars againft 
Scotland, Defence of Calais and Ireland, and the Amen^ 
A Subfidy meni of the State ; alfo, in Hopes that their Requ^ 
Btimed. fliould be granted, gave to the King for three YearstU 

Subf:dy on Wools, hkins, and Wool-fells ; that is FH 
ty Shillings on every Sack from Denizens, and fij 
Pounds from Aliens ; alfo one Tenth and one JS 

AO oF Indem- tCer.th. M 

ity f^- K.ir,g 'J he next Thing ihig Parliament went upon was to 
pafs an Ait of Indemnity to fcreen thole who, during 
the Ute Troubles, had taken up Arms in Favour of ihe 



Hcnty'i AJht- 



1 



^ENGLAND. 3^ 

King, then Diike of Lamajler ; likewife to pa/s an l^ Heory iv. 

AQ for tat repealing the whole Proceedings of the Par- 

fiament at ShrexDfbury^ 2i. Richard II. and to confirm 

that Parliament which j?a8 held the i ith of the faid 

King* except the Effed of the Pardon granted by the , 

fiud Statute, of the 21 ft of Richard II. which they 

ordained fhould ftand, notwithftanding the reft of it 

was repealed (m). Alio it was enadted, That nothings 

for the future, fhould be efteemed or adjudged to he 

Treafon, but what was ordained to be fo by the 25 th 

of Edward III. and that all Blank Charters, whatfo- 

foevcr, which the City of London^ and Seventeen 

Counties befides, had been forced to feal and give to 

King Richard, fhould be utterly void. 

The Archbifhop of Canterbury moved the Houfe for 
their Confent to addrefs the King, that he would 

gcafe to create Hmry, his eldeft Son, Prince of Wales^ 
^ke of Cornwall znd Earl of Chejier, Upon which 
the King, fitting in his Royal Seat, in full Parliament, 
put a Coronet on the Head of the faid Henry, his eld- 
eft Son, a Ring of Gold on his Finger, and gave him 
a Golden Rod in his Hand, and kifled him ; alfo, by a 
Charter then given him, he was created Prince of 
Wales (»), iic. His Uncle, the Duke of Tork, put the 
Robes on the young Prince, and afterwards brought 
him to the Seat afBgned, for that Principality, in Par- 
liament. Ic was, alfo, then enaded by all the Efta'es, 
that the (aid Prince fhould fucceed his Father in the 
Realm of England ; and they all promifed to accept and 
obey him accordingly {0). 

The next Day, being Thurfday, the Archbifhop of 
Canierbwj moved, in the Upper Houfe, that the Lords 
fhould in no wife difclofe any Thing that fhould then 
be put to them ; which being promifed by all, the 
Earl of Northumberland put this important Queftion to 
the Houfe, fVbat they would advife was fit to be done 

with 

(») Ststntes at Large, Amo i. ^ 2. Hen. IV. JValfingb'im, p. 361. 

{«) Thii Charter ii extant in Hymer^t F«ed,AngUa, Tom, VIII. p. 91. 
It is only for the Dutchy of Coruwall^ wherein all the Lands, Heredi- 
fttnmti, &c. bcloigin!! to it, are exprcffcd. The next Inftrument it for 
the riincipality of }raks. 

■(f) The Princ^' vs? jvft r.\\^.n twcUu Years old, HolUngJbta^t 
GfM. p. 511. 



^ 


40 The Parliamentary H 1 s T r t 


Koi Htarj 


IV. with Richard the kte K 


ng, in order to his Kd 




Me Cupdy ; for the King tumU have Hi Lift] 




To which all the Lords, 


whofe Names are herd 


Mociofl 11 

Difpoftl of 
l»c King-i 


°hj written, being feveraliy 


examii^ed, anfwered, J 


Per- • it fceroed advifeable to 


them, that he fliouldl 


t.a. 


* under a fafe and lecret Guard, and in fuch 




* where no Concourfc of People might lefort X 




' and that he be guarded by trufty and fuffici 




• fons, and that no Perlbn who hsd been 




* with him, ihould be aSout his Perfon,' ami 




« fliould be dor:e in the moft fecrct Manner, ; 




• be devifed.' 






The Names ef the L9rds 


tvho being ajked, A^ 




the ^tftioti, an 


he/e following ip) ; 


ThePMt. 


„. The Archbi{hop of Can- The Prince. 1 


ftnCIttlul 


Qoe- terbury. 


Dulie of Yori. . 


flioa. 


Archbi(hop of York. 


Earl oiJrundcl. 




Biiliop of Louden. 


Ear! of IFanvick. 1 




Bifbop of E^ 


Earl of Staferd. 1 




Bithop of Lmtoln. 


Earl of Northumbtri 
Earl of Suffolk. \ 




Bifliop of Norwich. 




Bifliop of Rochefler, 


E^rX oUP'orceJer. « 




Bifhop of Salifbury. 


Lord Rc/s. 1 
Lord Grey of Rji« 




Bifhop of Expter. 




Bifhop of Chiche/hr. 


Lord CharletoH. ■ ,i 




Bifhop of St 4faph. 


Lord Bardolfe. \ 




Bifhop of CA^cr. 


Lord miloughby. i 




Bifliop of St David's. 


Lord Farnival. 




Biihop of Landaf. 


Lord Ferrers. 




EiOiop of Durham. 


Lord Beaumont. 




Abbot of IVe/iminJlir. 


Lord B^rif/o'. 




Abbot of Sr Mant. 


Lord Filz-iralierii. 




Abbot of St /fujUtt. 


Lord Mauley. 




Abbot of Bwy. 


Lord Scales. 




Abbot of St Mary's, York 


. Lord Marley. 




Abbot of Ghcfjer. 


Lord S«rn«/. 




Abbot of Ba!:el. 


Lord Z,si'fi, 




if) Sit Rd^ OlUn Bn]j W 


lioDi, Ihal (he Names of fw 




Lord!, anJ KniEhts, zs nffmted 






nnt follow on th= Record i bu 


« hare fupplied that dS 




Mannftripr. Th= Rtader miy 






fpreKmng I,:ft, that moft of the 


Lord! who compui'd the lafil 


k 


Here ibfent oa this Occalion. S 


before, p. 4. -* 

■. 1 



[ 0/ E N G I. A N D. 41 

I Lord Catnsis. Lord rh Bergavtnney. 1 

Lord Seymor. Lord Lumky. 

Lord Crsmwil. Baron of Gm/iaci. 

Lord Cebhiim. Baron of Hiliin. 

Sir Henry Piercy. Sir l7jomt!s Erpingham, 
Sir Robert Scrope. Chamberlain. 

Lord Fs:z-Hugh. Sir Mattkew Gswin. 



It is obrervable, that the Bifhop of C<7r/i/7i is not in 

this Lifl, anil, indeed there rs great Reafon for it; he 

bdng the only Man, either in the Prelacy or Laitj, 

that had the Courage to oppofe this Uiurpation at that 

Time. Sir Jehn Hayiuard (q) has given ua a Speech 

made by this Bifliop, on the Occafion, when the lad 

1 Queftion was put in the Houfe of Lords. We (hall 

I rot conteft the Genuinenefs of it ; fo much is certain, 

I that this honeft Man fuffered greatly for his Loyalty to 

ihc depofed Prince ; being deprived of his Dignity, put 

under a iong Impriibnment, and, had it not been for 

his Order which was then held too facred, muft have 

died the Death of a Traitor. If it be objefted, that 

it was now too late to make Speeches, when the new 

King was atlually crown 'd, the aforefaid Author has 

in fome Meafuie accounted for that, in rematkifig, 

' That this Prelate was a Man both learned and wife, 

' and always ufed both Liberty and Conttancy in a 

' good Caufe ; that in his fecret Judgment he never 

' gave Allowance to thefe Proceedings, yel he dificm- 

' bled his Diflike until he mijiht, to fome Purpofe, 

'declare it; therefore, now, adds he, being in a Place 

' to be heard of all, and, by Order of the Houfe to be 

' interrupted by none, he roli: up with a bold and retb- 

' !uic Spirit, and uttered his Mind as followeth (r). 

THIS 

(}) Lift of KUg Henry tV. Land. l6jo. P. lol. 

(rj The Name of this Bifliop of Carl:p vts Tbtmti Mcrh, alisa, of 
mawnrla, siva Statrflre, Fie hid bem conlecrated At. 1397, wu 
i^lcd in IJ99, but Jived feverjl Veair aftfr. 

L« Nivi'B Tapi Etdtfix Anglicani, P. 334. 

Wtlfixgham fsy,. He wis made by the Pupe Titular Biihop oiSami. 
tkifaber Rakigh mites, that he was the only honeft Man in this Pat- 
bmnu, who feotned his Life and Fnrtuoc, in ttefpeft Co bii Sosertipi's 
Utbtsnd liu own Allegiance. Prcrngaiivi 0/ PjffiomtpiiJ, P. 85. 

Thii BiDiop atunded Ricbird in liii Ex^cditioa to IriUnil, See 
Vol, I. p. 500. 



J 



41 TheTarliamefttary HisT( 



Kioi Hforj IV. 



BUhopofCar- 
lilk*s Speech a- 
funftit. 



THIS Queftion, Right honourable lArdi. 
eth a Matter of great Confequence aiK 
the Determining whereof will aflliredly pr 
ther fafe Quiet, or dangerous Difturbancc 
our particular Confciences, and alfo to the 
State. Therefore, before you refolve upon 
you call to your Conlideration thefe twc 
fir ft, whether King Richard be fuflSciently < 
no ; fecondly, whether King Henry be ^ 
Judgment or Juftice chofen in his Place. F 
Point we are firft to examine, whether a 
ing lawfully and fully inftituted by any j 
may upon Imputation either of Negligen 
Tyranny, be depofed by his Subjeds : 
what King Richard hath omitted in the one 
mitted in the other, for which he fhould c 
heavy Judgment. I will not fpcak wha 
done in a Popular State, or in a Confular ; 
although one beareth the Name and Hor 
Prince, yet he hath not fupreme Power of 
but in the one, the People have the highefl 
ill the other, the Nobility and chief Men o 
in neither, the Prince. Of the lirft Sort 
Commonwealth of the Lacedemonians^ who 
Form of Government which Lycurgus frame 
times fined, oftentimes fetter'd their Ki 
fometimes condemned them to Death ; i 
alfo in Cafar*^ Time, the petty Kings of e 
in France^ who were many Times arraig 
Life and Death, and, as Amhiorixy Prini 
Leodienfesy confefs'd, had no greater Powe 
People, than the People had over them. C 
cond Condition were the Roman Emperors at 
of whom fome, namely, Nero and Mi 
were openly condemned ; others were fudc 



0/ ENGLAND. 



43 

Princes, by their Aiiftocratical Power, do k 
not only reftrain, but fomctimes a5fo remove from 
tbeirlmperial State ; fuch are alfo the Kings of Dtnr- 
mark and Swedtland, who are many Times by the 
Nobility dejeflcd, either into Prifon, or into Exile | 
liich likewife arc the Dukes of Venhe, and of fomc 
other Free Slates in Italy j and the chiefeft Caufe for 
which Ltvih Earl of Flandin was lately cxpeil'd from 
his Place, was for drawing lo himfeif Cognizance in 
Mattersof Life and Death, which high Power never 
periained to his Dignity. 

' In thefe and (iich like Governnients, the Prince 
hath not regal Rights, but is himfelf fubjefl to ihac 
Power which is gicaier than his ; wherher ii be in the 
Nobility or the Common People. But if the Sove- 
reign Mijefty be in ihe Prince, as it was in the three 
firft EmpireSi and in the Kingdom of Judea^ and If- 
rad i and is now in the Kingdoms of England, 
frame, Spain, Scotland, Mufirjj., Turkey, TaTiary, 
Perfie, Elbitfiia, and almoft all the Kingdoms of 
Ape and Africa ; although for his Vices he t>e unpro- 
vable lo ihe Subject, yeahurtfuJ, yea intolerable ; 
Et can thCT lawfully neither barm hb Perfon, nor 
tard his Power, whether by Judgment, tr elfc by 
' Force. For neither one, nor all Magiftrates, have 
' any Authority over the Prince, from whom all Au- 
' ihority is deriv'd, and whofe only Prefence doth fi- 
' lence and fufpend alt inferior Jurifdiilion and Pow- 
' a. As for Force, what Subjefl can attempt, or af- 
' Eft, or counfcl, or conceal Violence againft his 
' Prince,. and not incur the high and heinous Crime of 
' Treafon. 

' It is a common Saying, Thought is free j free in- 
' deed from Punifhmcnt of fecular Laws, except by 
' Word or Deed it bteak forth into Afljon ; yet the 
' fecret Thoughts againfi the facred M,ije!ty of a Prince, 
' without Attempt, wiihout Endeavour, have been 
li adjudged worthy ofDnih ; and fome who in Auri- 
'i.cular Confeflion, h.ive difcover'd ihcir treacherous 
Devifes again ft ihi; Peifonof thc.r Prince, haveafter- 
l Wards been executtJ lor the fame. All Laws do ex- 
; a Madman from Puiiifhmeni, becaufe their 
' Aftions 



King Henry. IV. 



44 The Parliamentary H 1 8 T o 

Adions are not governed by their Will and 
and the Will of Man being fet aiide, all hi 
^ arc indifferent, neither can the Body offend y 
corrupt or erroneous Mind : Yet if a Made 
bis Sword upon his King^ it hath been ad 
deferve Death. And leaft any Man (houk 
that Princes, for the Maintenance of their c 
ty and Sovereignty, are the only Authors 
Judgments, let us a little confider the Pati 
Precepts of Holy Scripture. NebuchadnezZi 
of AlJyriay wafted all Paliftine with Fire an 
befieg'd Jerufalem z long Time ; and at 
took it ; flew the King ; burnt the " 
took away the Holy VeffeJs and Treafure ; 
he permitted to the Cruelty and Spoil of his 
ful Soldiers, who defiled all Places with I 
Slaughter, and ruinated to the Ground that 
ing City : After the Glut of this bloody I 
the People that rem .in'd he led captive into ( 
there he ereded his Golden Image, apd cor 
that they which refufed to worfhip it, fhoxx 
into a fiery Furnace. 

* What Cruelty, what Injuftice, what 
is comparable to this ? And yet God calle 
chainezzar his Servant, and promifeth Hire ; 
ges for his Service : And the Prophets Jeret 
Baruch did v/rite to the Jews to pray for th( 
him, and of Baltczar his Son, that their Da 
be upon Earth as the Days of Heaven : Anc 
with bitter Terms abhorreth the Difloyalty i 
chidhy becaufe he revolted from Nebucbac 
whofe Homager and Tributary he was. W; 
we fay of Saul} Did he not put all the Prief 
ecution, becai:fe one of them did relieve 1 



O/' E N G L A N D. 45 

|r, had lent his Hand (as he faid) to help for- j^jn. Henry iv# 
tie voluntary Death of that facred King ? As 
contrary Examples, as that of J ehuvf Yiofitv^ 
m and Ahaziah^ Kings of Ifrael and JudaV^ 
ere done by-exprefs Oracle and Revelation 
jod, and are no more fet down for our Imita- 
han the robbing of the Egyptians^ or any other 
lar and priviledg'd Comrhandment ; but in the 

Precept, which all Men liiuft ordinarily fol- 
lot only our Aftions, but our Speeches alfo, 
r very Thoughts are ftriftly charged with Duty 
)edience unto Princes, whether they be good or 
The Law of God ordainetb, That he which doth 
tuoujly againjl the Ruler of the People Jhall dye ; 
I Prophet David forbiddeth to touch the Lords 
id ; Thou Jbalt not rail upon the Judges^ net-- 
ai Evil againjl the Ruler oj the People. And 
X)ftles do demand further, that even our 
,hts and Souls be obedient to higher Powers ; 
ift any fhould imagine that they meant of good 
} only, they fpeak generally of all ; and further 
away all Doubt, they make exprefs Mention of \ 

il. For the Power and Authority of wicked 
1 is the Ordinance of God i and therefore 
told Pilate^ that the Power which he had was 
lim from above j and the Prophet Efay callcth 

being a prophane and heathen Prince, the 
Anointed. For God ftirred up the Spirit 

• wicked Princes to do his Will ; and as Jeho^ 
faid to his Rulers, they execute not the J udg- 
•f Man, but of the Lord : In regard hereof, 

calleth them Gods; becaufe they have their * 

id Authority immediately from God j which 
abafe, they are not to be adjudged by their 
s, for no Power within their Dominion b fu- 
to theirs ; but God referveth them to the foreft 
Horribly and /uddainly^ faith the TVifeman^ 

• Lord appear unto them^ and a hard Judgment 
ey have. 

) Law of God commandetli, that the Child 
e put to Death, for any Contumely done 
le Parents , but what if the Father be a Rob- 

' ber ? 



4^ Tlie Tarl'tamentary History 

. ' ber ? If a Murtherer ? If for all Exccfs of Villania,ig 
' * odious and execrable both to God and Man ? Surel5^. j 
' he deferveth the higheft Degree of Puniftiments, ailitl;^ 

* yet muft not the Son lift up his Hand againft hii^j^ 

* for no Offence is fo great as to be punifh'd by Pan>i^ 
' cide: But our Country is dearer unto us than oui^ 

* Parents ; and the Prince is Patv Patrla, the Fatbel^jp 

* of our Country ■■, and therefore more facred and dear^ 

* unto us than our Parents by Nature, and muft ii<^k 
' be violated, how imperious, how impious foeverbfi^ 

* be: Do[h he command or demand, our Perfons oftP 

* our Purfes, we muft not ihun for the one, nor ihrinfc|, 

* for the other; for, 2s Nehemiah iAih, Kings hnvt D^^ 

* minion over the Bodies and over the Caitk of their SiS->^g 

* je£fs, at their Pieafure. Doth he enjoin ihofe Atti^C^ 

* ons which are contrary to the Laws of God ? ^^iZ 

* muft neither wholly obey nor violently rcfift, biml 

* with a conftant Courage fubmit our/elves to all Mad^f^ 
' net of Puniihment, and fhew our Subjection by 

* during, and not performing ; yea the Church h 
' ' declared it to be an Herefy, to hold that a Prii 

' may be flain or depoled by his Subjcds, for any Dil^ 

' order or Default, either in Life, orelfe in Govci 

* ment. There will be Faults fo long as there 

* Men ; and as we endure with Patience a bai 

* Year if it happen, and unieafonabic Weather, 
' fuch other Defefts of Nature, fo muft we tolerate "»*- 
' ImperteiSions of Rulers; and quietly expeft, eithefl^ 
' a Reformaiion, or elfe a Change. 

' But alas, good King Richard, why fuch Cruelty! 

* What fuch Impiety hath he ever committed ? Ex*- 

* mine rightly ihofe Imputations which are laid againW, 

* him, v^fithout^any falfe Circumftance of AggraVM* 

* tiun, and you {hall find nothing objefted, either 
'any Truth, or of great Moment. Ii may be, -tl 
' many Errors and Overfights have efcaped him, ; 
' none fo grievous to be termed Tyranny ; as procci 
' ii'g rather from unexperienced Ignorance, or corru] 

* Co^inlel, than from any natural or wilful MaliC 
' Oh, how (hail ihe World be pcftcred with Tyrani 

* if Subjefls may rebel upon every Pretence of Ty^ 
' ranny ? How many good Princes fhall daily 

' fupprcl 



0/ E N G L A N D. 



47 



' Jupprefled by tliofe, by whom ihey ought to be fup- ^^^ «„ jv. 
J ? If Ihey levy a SubfiJy, or any other Taxa- 
it flial! be claimed Opprefiion : If they put 
/ to Death for TraJterous Attempis againft their 
RfoHS, it fliall be exclaimed Cruelty : If they do 
> Thing againft the Luft and Liking of the People, 
Thall be proclaimed Tyrnnny. 
tut let it be, that without Authority in us, or 
■ rt in him, King Richard muft be depofed : Yet 
Right had the Duke of Lanca/fer to the 
. 'II ? Or what Rejifon have we without bia 
^t to give it to him ? If he make Title as Heir 
oKing Ricbsrd, then muft he yet ftay until King 
hard's Death : For no Man can fucceed as Heir 
[One that hveth. But it is well known to all Men, 
D are not either wilfully blind or grofly ignorant, 
t there ate fome now alive, lineally defccnded 
h Lienil Duke of Clarence, whofe OfFfpring was 
Bjudgment of the High Court of Parliament holden 
V ninth Year of the Reign of King Richard, declar- 
Fbext Succeffor to the Crown, in cafe King Ri- 
Vrffliould die without Iflije(/j. Concerning theTitle 
u Edmund Crouchhack, I will pafs it over ; feeing 
KAulhors thereof are become alhamed of fo abfurd 
pfe, both of their own Knowledge, and our Cre- 
iry ; and therefore all the Claim is now made, by 
■^t of Conqueft j by the Ceflion and Grant of 
Riihard ; and by the general Confent of all 
People, It is a bad Wooll that will take no Co- 
: But what Conqueft can a Subjeift pretend a- 
> his Sovereign, where the War is Infurreflion, 
IjlheViflory high and heinous Treafon ? As for 
f ReGgnation which King Richard made, being a , 

t Priloner for the fame Caufe, it is an Aft extort- 
' Force J and therefore of no Validity lo bind 
And feeing that by ihe Laws of this Land, 
\ King alone cnnnot alienate the ancient Jewels 
I Ornaments pertaining to the Crown, furely he 
fflot give away the Crown it felf, and therewithal 



father 



dtbcr have we any Cuftom, that the People at 
* Plcafurc 
(0 S« VbI, Ii pi j!;- »oii io die Vslume. p- >■ 



i 



King Henry IV. 



48 The Tarltamcntary History 

Pleafure fhould eledl their King ; but Ihey are al- 
ways bound unto him, who by Right of Hood i 
right Succeflbr ; much Icfs can they confirm 
make good that Title, which is before by Violence 
ufurped ; for nothing can then be freely done, wheal^ 
Liberty is once rcftrained by Fear. So did Bcylk^ bfl^c 
Terror of his Legi©ns, obtain the Law ViMa t0|^ 
be made, whereby he was created Di^ftator for Four 
fcore Years : And by like Impreffion of Fear, Cafdflh 
caufed the Law S£rvia to be promulged, by whidi|^ 
he was made perpetual Diftator : But both tbcfe 
Laws were afterwards adjudged void. As for the 
Depofing of King Edward the Second it is" no more 
to be urged, than the Poifoning of King Jobfiy or 
the Murdering of any other pood and lawful Prince: 
We muft live according to Laws, and not to Ex- 
amples: And yet the Kingdom was not theii taken 
from the lawful Succeflbr. But if we look back to 
Times lately paft, we (hall find that thcfc Titfei 
were more ftrong in King Stephen^ than they are iiir 
the Duke of Lancajler, For King Henry the firft 
being at large Liberty, neither reftrained in Body, nor 
conftrained in Mind, had appointed him to fucceedj 
as it was upon good Credit, certainly aflirmed. The- 
People aflented to this t)efignmentj and thereupon '^ 
without Fear, and without Force, he was anointed 
King, and obtained full PoCeflion of the Realm («). 
Yet Henry ^ Son of the Earl oi Anjou^ having a nearer 
Right by his Mother to the Crown, notwiihftanding 
his Father was a Stranger, and himfelf born beyond 
the Seas, raifed fuch rough Wars upon King Stephen^ 
that there was no end of fpoillng the Goods, and 
fpilling the Blood of the unhappy People, befides the 
Ruins and Deformities of many Cities and Holds; 
until his lawful Inheritance was to him aflured. It 
terrifieth me to remember how many flourifliing Em* 
pires and Kingdoms have been, by means of fuch 
Contentions, either torn in pieces with inteftineDi- 
vifion, or fubdued to foreign Princes, under pretence 
ofAffiftance and Aid; and I need not repeat how 
this Realm hath heretofore been (haken with th«fe 
ieveral Mifchiefs. And yet neither the Examples 

' of 

(u) Sf/Vul. I. P. 12. 



0/ E N G L A N D. 49 

rf other Countries, nor the Miferies of our own, KingHewy IV« 
ure fufficient to make us to beware. 
* O Engijhmen^ worfe bewitched than the foolifh 
4jalatians ! Our unftaid Minds and reftlefs Refolutioni 
do nothing elfe but hunt after our own Harms : No 
People have more Hatred. abroad, and none lefs Quiet 
fit home : In other Countries the Sword of Invafion 
hath been (haken againft us : In our own Land, .the 
Fire of Infurredion hath been kindled among us : 
And what are thefe Innovations, but Whetftones 
to ibarpen the one and Bellows to blow up the 
other ? 

^ Certainly I fear that the fame will happen unto us 
which M/ip fableth to .have been fallen unto the 
Frogs, who being defirous to have a King, a Beam 
was ^ven unto them ^ the firft Fall whereof did 
put them in fome fear, but when they faw it lie ftill 
in the Stream, they infulted thereon with great Con- 
tempt, and deiired a King of quicker Courage : Then 
"was fent unto them a Stork, which ftalking among 
them with ftately Steps, continually devoured them. 
The Mildnefe of .King Richard hath bred in us this 
Scorn,. interpreting it to be Cowardice and Dulnefs of 
Nature : The next Heir is alfo rejected : I will not (ay 
that with greater Courage we (hall find greater Cruelty ; 
but if either of thefe Ihall hereafter be. able to fet up 
their Side, and bring the Matter to Trial by Arms, I . 
do affuredly fay, that which Part foevcr (hall carry 
the Fortune of the Field, the People both ways muft 
go to wreck. And thus have I dechred my Mind 
concerning this Queftion, in more Words than your 
Wifdom, yet fewer than the Weight of the Caufe, 
doth require ; and do boldly conclude, that we have 
neither Power nor Policy, either to depofe King 
'Richatdj or to eledt Duke Henry in his place ; that 
King Richard remaineth ftill our Sovereign Prince,* 
and therefore it is not lawful for us to give Judgment 
upon him ; that the Duke, whom you call King, 
hath more offended againft the King and the Realm, 
than the King hath dorle, either againft him or us : 
For being banifhed the Realm for ten Years by the 
King and his Council^ amongft whom his own Fa^ 
. Vol. II.. D • tber 



ORT I 



JO TAtf 'Parliamentary H i s T o f 

Kd|H«»tIV. * ther wasChief(a) ; and fworn not to' return ag| j| 

• without Tpecial Licence ; he hath not only viola( |i 
' his Oath, but with impious Arms dirturbed the Qg ^ 

* of the Land, and difpoflefled the King from ! | 
' Royal Eftate ; and now demandeih Judgment agaa y 

t * his Perfon, without Offence proved, or Defence bcM ^ 

' If this,Injury and this Perjury doth nothing move u l 

' yet lei both our private and common Dangers foia j 

' what withdraw us from thefe violent Proceedings fl, iji 

For which he is "^^^ Speech, fays the Hiftorian from whom wen* ( 
(hirgsdviLth quote, was differently taken, as Men were then dii '' 
Hi^ TiejfoB. rcntly affedied, between Fear, Hope, and Shame ; yi ^ 
the major Part, by far, Ihewed themfelves in the Ii , 
lereft of theirnew 'K.\rig Henry; and the Orator W , 
inftanily altach'd of HighTreafon, by the Earl M4 ' 
Jhal, and fent Prifoncr to the Abbey of Saint Albm ■.. 
W ho fe Council, at^ds be, then contemned, wasaftt 1 
wards better thought upon ; partly in the LiFc-time 1 j 
this King Heniy, during whofe Reign fcarce a Y* , 
paffed without much Slaughter and Execution ; b '' 
more efpecially in the Reigns fucceeding. For, widijB^ 
the Space of thirty-Iix Yeats, twelve fet Battles wer?"" 
fought in this Realm, and on this Quarrel, by Englijb-: 
men only ; and mOfe than fourfcore Princes of the" 
Blood Royal of England, flain by each othen 
Swords (0- 

But. it cannot be amifs to quote one whole Para-" 

graph firom M. Siapin's Hiftory, containing his Reflec- ■ 

tioiu 

(a) Stt before ia Vol. I. p, 491. 

{*) Our immorial Sbahjpiar, in his hiftorical Play of King RicbariM-- 
has given us the SubOance of (hit Speech, made by Ihe Bilhop of Q i. 
hjlc, in his elepnt Manner. Thio.ald's FirfiEdii. P. jrf. ^ 

The (ame great Poi-C, at ihe Condufion of this f Jay, when thai 
Klhop was brought before Htnry to rsceive hii Sentence for beio| j 
J :. .,„ Infurrcaion againA him, maltej the King fpeok thw 



Kiiig. " CsrUJIc tliiE U thy Doom. 

" Chufe out fomc ferret Place, fi 



, fome reverend Room 
" More than thou halt, and with ic joy Ihy Life ; 
"So, as thpuliveftinPcare. die free from Strife, 
" For (hough mine Enemy ihou haft ever been, 
*' High Spaiki of Honour in ihce I have feen." 

Ibid, P. 3,, 

(0 Siry^i.ffirproar^.P, m,. Fy which SJanghtcraU tte Heiisl 
of baililjQCf, were ileftiojed, UtUingptid, P, 511, ■ 



0/ E N G L A N D. 51 i| 

t|On the Conduft of this Parliament, in the Sen- iq,| Henry rvj 
Tpf King Richard's perpetual Imprifonment ; and, 

■ agreed by moft Hiftorians, tho' it is not in the 

|;inent of the Records, that there was made lo it , 

We Addition, Thai if, ul any time, any Infur- i 

'hsuld be made in his Favour, he Jhould be the 
) Jhould fuffer Death for it {d}'. Becaufe, we | 

p.iiiat here our Foreigner fhews his Partiality on ^ 

Side of Monarchy ; and feems to own, that Pariia- •} 

nts are capible of afling as unjuftly as the moft ab- 
»e Kings ; a Circumftance few will believe that 
'e not well noted this Paflage ; and therefore wc 
H give it in his Tranflator Tindal's own Words {e) : 
It is not my bufinefs to determine, how far the Mr Rapm'i Re. 
lothoricy of the Parliament may be extended, withm"!" omhe 
sfpeft 10 the King's Perfon. I Ihall only ohferve, ^"""^f^^"'* 
liai this is the fecond Inftance of the Depofmg of a 
^ng of England, without hearing hb Defence, or fo 
lurh as obferving the ufual Formalities prefcribed by 
he Law, in the Trial of the meaneft Subjefl. The 
'arliament which depofed Edward II, was fatisfied 
I'ilh decreeing, that he fhould be kept in fafe Cufto- 
j during Lile. But this Parliament, to Richard's 
Jepoling, adds the Sentence of Deaih : For no other- 
'ife can the Condition be confidered, upon which 
is Life is granted. Let us farther remart, ihat one 
if the chief Articles of Accufaiion againft this Prince, 
ns his puaing to Death Ihc Duke of Ckcejler his 
Jncle, without a previous Tri.d. And this lame 
'arliament condemns him unheard, upon his bare 
-onfeflion, when a Prifoner ; not, thai he t,- guilty 
f the particul.ir Crimes laid to his Charge, but that 
le is in his own Opinion unworthy to wear the 
'rown. They are not content with ftripping him 
f his Royalty, but order him lo be imprifoncd for 
,ife. What do 1 fay ? They really condemn him 
J die, fince in leeming to gr.int him his Life, they 
Id a Condition, which probably muft loon make 
im lofe it. If in perufing the Reign of Richard II. 
ne can't help deielting the Principles of the Shrcwf- 
D 2 * burj 

^ fi) HaW% Chron. Fol. X. mid Cm/'" P. ^oi, 

I («) Rufw, Vol. 1. P. 4S7. 



5 a The Parliamentary HisTo 

King Henry IV. * terjr Parliament, which tended to fubjeft th( 

* Honours and Fortunes of the Nation to the 

* Will, what ought we to think of this ? By 

* trary Excefs, they put the Life and Honoui 

* King himfelf in the power of his Subjefls, 

* fufe the Sovereign a Privilege, which every 

* Subje£l has a right to demand. The Examp 

* two Parliaments afford, are a clear Evidence 

* EngU/b Conftitution can never pretend to that 

* of Perfeilicn, boafted by fome, till the Boun 

* prefcribed to the Prerogative Royal, and the P 

* of Parliament, are prccifely determined.* 
To proceed with the Bufinefs tranfadled in 1 

liament : The Commons appeared again wii 
lip ort^'s*p«I Speaker, and declared to the King, that the I 
litntoit. Britainy^ hid fent word that he was ready ti 

which the King would defire him, and therefor 
that the Earldom of Richmond, being his own 
tance, might not be granted away by any Lei 
tents, which Pttition was made a Requeft fi 
Commons. 

The Duke of TbrJt^ the Earl of Northumberia 
others of Kindred to the Archbifliop of Cat 
pray'd the King that the ftid Archbifliop might 
Recovery agaiaft Roger IValden, who had beei 
Archbifliop of Canterbury during the others Ej 
* ilindry Wades and Spoils, done by the faid J 

the Archbiflioprick aforefaiJ, which the King i 
granted, and thanked them for their Motion. 
Commons, upon hearing of this Award, pra 
King that, fince they were not made privy 
Judgment aforefaid, no Record might ben 
charge or make 'them Parties therein. To wl 
Archbifliop of Canterbury, by the King's Co 
anfwered. * That iheCnmmons were onlv Per 



Of E N G L A N D. si 

Ivifed the King to make War on Scotland.' The King Henry i v. 
ig took it upon himfelf, and caufed the Earl of 
*tbufnberland to afk every Lord there, feparately. 
Opinion relating to the faid War, who all encou- 
5d the King to undertake it. 
To the King's eldeft Son, faefides the Titles and Prin- 
Jities already conftrred this Parliament, were added 
Dukedoms of Lancajier and Aquitain j to the for- 
r of which were given all fuch Liberties and Fran- 
cs, as were heretofore granted to the Duke of the 

Dutchy ; and that they fhould remain to his eldeft 
;, and to his Heirs, Dukes of Lancajier, diflever'd 
n the Crown of England ; and thereupon the King 
vered a Charter thereof, fiiade in Parliament, to 
^ry his eldeft Son* 

The King eriadted, bythe Aflentof the Lords, that 
rtain new People, dKguis'd in white Garments, com* 

from beyond Sea, and pretending great Sanftity, 
Lild in no wife be fuffer'd to tarry or harbour with- 
;he Realm. 

Jext follow feveral private Affairs too tedious to men- 
1 5 except, that on the Petition of Sir Thomas Haxey^ 
rk, the King pardon'd and revok'd the Judgment 
de againft him in the 20th Year of King Richard's 
ign, and reftor'd him to Blood, and the Recovery of 
his Goods, Livings, Lands and Tenements (g). 
Sir TFtUiam Ricihill, one of the Judges to the late 
ig, but now a Prifoner, was brought before the. 
'Uament, and required to anfwer by what Warrant 
took and certified the Confeffion of the late Duke of 
mcejier^ in the 21ft Year of Richard 11. (h) i and 
Order of the King, Sir fFaltcr Clopton^ Chief Ju- 
:e, was put to examine him. But Rickhill^ anfwer- 
; at full, and producing fufficient Authority for what 
had done, and his fincere Dealing therein, the Lords 
inimoufly declared that they thought he had adted 
:ly ; and upon this the Chief Juftice adjudged the 
1 Sir ff^iUiam acquitted thereof for ever. 

%e Petitions of the Commons^ and the Kng's Anfwer $• ^ .^ ^ - . 
Petition. That the Liberties of the Church, thcc^^oL!* 

D 3 Great 

l) He WIS then a Member of Parliament and waa fentenced to 
i&i, for bringing in a Bill to regttlato the Kiag*s Houfliold^ Amio ao, 
k II See Vol. 1. p. 45s, 

>; Vokl, p«475* 



J 4 7^^ Parliamentary H i s T o r t 

King Henry IV. Great Charter, and Charter of the Forefts, be confirmM. 

Jnfwer. The King willeth the fame {%). 

Pet. That the Lords Spiritual, Temporal, and the- 
Judges, do not from henceforth plead, in Excufe, that^ 
they durft not for Fear of Death to fpeak the Truth. ' 

Jtnfw. The King ^eputeth them all to be juft, and 
that they will not give him Council to the contrary \ 
but if they do, let Complaint be made. ' 

Pet. That all the King's chief Officers be fwotn ttf 
fhun all B ibery, and fuch as are attainted thereof vcf 
lofe all they have. 

Jnfw. Every fuch Officer, upon Attaint, fhall bff 

puniuied for his Mifdoing ; otherwife the Statutes at-; 

^ ready made may fuffice. J 

Pet. That no Part of the Crown- Lands majrW 
fold, given, or exchanged s and that there be a Refump-, 
tion of fuch as are. 

Jnfiv, The King will be advifed of this. 

Pet. That every Man may purfue his Remedy 
all Havock and Spoils, committed fince the coming 
the King. 

Anfw. For Spoils done where the King's Army 
been, he will be advifed ; for the reft he granteth. 

Pet. That all Men difpoffeffed of any Ttenem< 
without Procels of Law, may be reftored, if done 
the King's coming in. 

Jnfw. They are remitted to the Common Law.- 
• Pet. That, in Confideration of the great Plague 

the Nortbi it would pteafe the King to lie with 
Army in the midft of the Kingdom. 

Jnfw. The King will be advifed. 

Pet. That the King will appoint able Captains, i 
well in England as in PFales. 

(i) The Preamble to this Statute, and the reft in this Ycff» 
in this Manner t 

' Henry f by the Grace of God^ King of EngUnd and «f 
' and Lord of Ireland ; to the Laud and Honour ot Cod and JRi 

* of Holy Church, for tonouri/h Vmtf, Peace and Concord^ « 

* Parties within the Realm of England $ and for Redrelt nd ^ 

* of the fame Realm, which now of late hath been dangerod^ 
' great Ruin and Defolation $ by the AlTent of the Prelscef » l 
< Earls, Barons, and at the Infhnce and ipedal Requeft of tll« 
^ mons of the iame Realm aflembled at hit Parliament held I 

* mnfter, on the Feaft of St. Faith the Virgin, the firft Y«r 
' Reign, Eath made, ordained, and eftabliihcd certain OrdioM|i 
^ Statutes in Formi as followeth.' Statutes at large, Ao. I* 9t 



QfENGLAND. js 

Dtf. The King meaneth no kfs. King Henry iv^ 

5 Commons grant to the King, that be fliall be 
and enjoy as great Liberties as any of his Pro- 
rs had before him 5 whereupon the. King, in Par- 
ty promifed that he would not turn the fame 
ry to the Laws. 

The Commons pny the Reverfal of the Judg- 
pven againft Richard Earl of jtrundel in the 21ft 
)f King Richardy and that Reftitution be made 
mas his Son and Heir {k). 
iv. The King hath (hewn Favour to Thomas now 
and to others. 

. That fuch Retords, touching the Inheritance of 
id Earl of Arundel and Surrey^ late embezzled, 
e fought for and reftored. 
w. The King willeth. 

. They make the like Requeft for Reftitution to 
ie to Thomas Earl of fVarwick {/). 
«;. The King hath fhewn Favour to him alfo. 
. They require a Repeal of the Aft made Anno 
ichard IL with a general Reftitution of Lands 
roods, to all fuch as loft thereby^ 
tc;. The King has been gracious in this alfo, and 
5 reft he will be advifed (m). 
efe are all or moft of the Petitions and Anfwers, 
iblick Affairs, which paffed in this Parliament, 
lere are yet fome Matters in the Pleas of the 
n, at this Time, which deferve our Attention, 
c Commons pray the King, that the Lords, who 
Appellants in the Parliament held the twenty- firft 

D 4 of 

Jec Vol- 1, p. 470. 
[bid. p. 477. 

\ Repeal of the whole Parliament holden %i Ric, II. and of the 
ity given thereby was pafTed, and the Parliament held xi Ric, II. 
ed. Alio a Reftitution to ihok, or their Heirs^ who w^e attainted 
II. StMtt^ta sf Large, An. x. Hen, IV. See before, in the Firft 
ty p. 4x2, and 492. 

Parfiament 21 Ric. II. was called, (ays Hall, the Evil Parlia- 
IT the Nobility^ the worfe for the Menalty, but the worft of all 
Cemmosalty. Ha-lCs Cbrun, Fol. XJ. 

neral Pardon wa?* alfo pafled for Treafon, Felony, &c, except to 
irderers of the Duke oiGlocefier, Stat, at Large, An. i. Ben, IV. 
writet, that an A£t was pi^ed this Parliament for entailing the 
of England on this King Henry, his four Sons in Succc0ion, and 
ofterity $ and hath given us the Subftance of it* But nothing of 
iture appears on the Records, or in the Sutute^Books^ tiU 
• Hai» IV. which fee. 



^6 The Parliamentary History | 

King Henry IV. ^f ^^^ I^te King Richard^ maybe called on to asfftillftt 

for their Ads done at that lime. The Records dn, 

which were* brought and read in Parliament, in tin; 

Prefenceof Edward Duke of Albemarle^ iTjomaiiyibimi 

Surrey^ John D\j\it oi Exeter ^ John Marquef8of2)«rjKi|T^ 

Jchn Earl of Salisbury^ and Thomas Earl of Gk«*«f.lK 

^rhefe were all the Accufers of the Archbiihop and dieli: 

reft of the Lords, in the Parliament of the 2ift rfit: 

Richard II. ihat were fpared from Execution ; caOTti 

King Henry himfelf, then Earl of Derbyy who wastkls 

principal Perfon concerned in that Affair. §2^ 

Prxeedings a- The Dulce of Albemarle was called on firft, wbfit 

gainft the Duke pleaded in Excufe, * That he was no Contriver ofttelii 

^od^Lorfi faid Appeal J and what he then did, was by theKin^ 

Appeiianti, in Command, whom he durft not difobey. That idi 

the aift of Ri- relation to King Henry\' Exile, and Revocarion rfl: 

.^*^ "• hb Patent, it was entirely againft his Will, and tea!- 1 i 

, led certain Lorc'9 to witnefs the fame : He, alfo, ta^m 

deavoured to excufe himfelf from advifing, or bofljlr.: 

any ways privy to the Death of the DiSte of Ci-i)? 

cejter: '|i: 

The Duke of Surrey prayed the King to copftkffcl 

the tender Age, and fmall Reputation he wasiD)^^l,? 

the time the Appeal was made. Afterwards, he J^'k 

fwered in all Points, as the 'former Duke had *^i|^ 

all which he offered to prove when the King ftoi»F; 

appoint. r 

The Duke o^ Exeter pleaded alfo, as above; o^|jf 

in relation to the Duke of Glocejier^ he added, tW 1*|( 

beard King Richard fay, that he (hould be flain. p 

The Marquefs of Dorfet affirmed, as before, only"^ 
mside no mention of the Duke of Gloce/ier. 

The Earl of S^///J//fy fa:d, that he was drawn 
the Appeal, for fear of his Life ; and for that he ^ 
accufed by the Duke of Norfolk^ that he fhouW j»^ 
meant to have flain the Duke of Lancafler^ the King' 
Father. Albeit, he was ready by the King's Order, to 
have difproved the Charge ; but, for that he had notyel 
offered to acquit himfelf thereof, he afked Pardon fe 
the fame {n). 

The Earl of Glocejier affirmed the fame with the 
Duke of Albemarle. 

Ate 

{>?) Vol. I. p. 491, 



0/ E N G L A N D. S7 

ifter ihefc Noblemen had anfwered the feveral Que- K 
ns, they were all ordered to withdraw, whilft [he 
ig and Parliament conlbltcd what Sentence to award 

them. And the King and Lords did adjudge, T 
""hat the faid Dukes, Maiqueft and Earls, fhould " 
»fe their Names and Titles, and all the Honours" 
lereto belonging j and that ihey (hould forfeit all h 
]e Lands and Goods, which they, or any of them 
ad given them at the Death of the faid Duke of 
rlace/ler, or at any time fince ; and that if they, or 
tiy of ibera, fliould efpoufe the Quarrel, or affift the 
'erfon of King Richard, lately depofcd, that then 
he fame Ihould be Treafon." Which Sentence or 
Jgment, by the King's Command was pronounced 
Sir lyilliam Thirning, Lord Chief Juftice of the 
ng's Bench- 
But after all, we find that as to their Lands, it was Bi 
C to the King either to continue them in Polleflion, *>* 

turn them out if he pleafed. Yet, Henry, willing 
begin his Reign with fome Adls of Clem?ncy, not 
ly left them their Eftaies, but, alio, reftored them to 
'r Honours. Moreover, he made the Duke oiExe- 
• who had .married his Half-Sifter, Governorof Ca- 
Buc Waifingham (a) writes, that this mild Sentence 
fhe Lords was greatly refented by the Common 
Pic, both againll the King and his Council, becaufc 
■ judged thofe Noblemen by their late Proceedings, 
■y of Death. 

*n the 29th JDay of November the Commons rc- 
-d, that the Arreft and Judgment againft ffil/tam 
■^ofie, ^^rX Qi mu/IAre, ^k Henry Green, and John 
y Knights, who had been executed without any 
Cefs at Brijlol, might be confirmed in full Parlia- 
?c (p). On 'Khkh^rr Richard le Screpe '(>mmatA the 
'g that nothing might be done to diiinherit him or 
Children, confidering the faid IVilliam was his Son. 
le Commons aiked Sir Richard, if the Judgment a- 
nft his Son was lawful ? Who anfwered, that it was 
S'fiJ. Upon which, the King faid, that he would 
ve all the Lands of the Perfons aforcfaid forfeited 
him by way of Cun^eft, as of thofe who had been 
the 
,) H'itlfmgbam, p. 361. Fabim'i Chron. Fol. CLXV. 
f) See Vol. I. p. JDO. 



58 The Parliamentary HisToiT 

KiD(R«ir7lv. the chief Aflors in the Parliament of the twenty-firft 
of Richard the Second. 

The lad Thing which we (hall mention in the Pro- 
ceedings of this Parliament, is fome farther Enquiry 
made there in relation to the Duke of Gbcejicr ; which 
tho' not all mentioned in the Mridgment, our older'j 
Chroniclers (g), panicularly Hollingjhiad, are very* 
exatt in defcribing. Sir John Baggot, then a Prifonar' 
in the TovJtr, was brought to the Bar of the Houfe, 
and (heis examined on the Affair of that Murder; who* 
. there declared, in a Bill, then delivered in, * That it* 

Murdw of'the ' ' ^^ ^V ^^^ Advice and Inftigation of the Duke of vT 
DukeofClo- * bcmarle, that the Lords were apprehended by t' 
«*"' ' King, and that the Duke of Gioucepr was inhum 

' ly murder'dat Calais. That the Duke of Nar^M 

* did keep rhe Duke of Gkmejier alive three Wed 

* againft the King's Will ; but, for Fear of the Kin(_' 
' Difplcafure, the faid Duke and himfelf, with fev* 
' ral of the King's Servants, went over to Caiaii, am 

* faw him put to Death.' After this Declaration ' 
openly read, the Duke of jflbemarle role up and fakl«*l 
' That he utterly denied the Charge to be tr . ' "' 

* him, and offer'd to juftify his Innocency by Combatjfrj 

* in fuch Manner as fhould be thought requifiic' But(^ 
SaggBitf not being at Liberty to accept tlie Challengi 
the Lord Fitz-fValter, and twenty other Lords, offer' 
to make it good by their Bodies, that he was the Caui 
of the Duke of GIoucefler'& Death. The Duke of Sim 
rty flood up againft the Lord F'it%-WalUr,-iTA having ai 
firmed that what the Duke of Albemarh had done apinl^ 
the Duke of Gkucefitr, was by Coriftraint, he oifcr'i'. 
10 vindicate him by Fight; and all their Hoods, whicl 
ihey flung down as Pledges of thdr Intentions, wei 
deliver'd to the Conftable and Marihal to be kept. Em 
all thefe Differences the King thought proper 10 accoiB 
modate, in a Way more politick and more confiftea 
with the Exigency of the Times, than fuffering ihec 
to go on to a Martial Trbl. 

Boggott, in one of his Examinations before til 
HoaJ 

, Jii, SCc. Sir >£n //jjwo.rfj^tij 




\ 0/ E N G L A N D. 

I Houfc, mcntion'd one yohn HafI, then a Prifoner in Kins 
Newgate, who could fay much more than he, relating 

I to the Death of the Duke of Gkucejler. Which HaU, 
being feiit forand ex-imtned, confcfied the whole Mat- 
ter ; whofe Examination, Confeffion, and Sentence 
paOed againd him, being on the Rolls, we fliall give 
ixom^ir Robert Cot mn'sovin Account of it. 

• John Hall, a Servant of the Duke of Norfolk, being 
examined by Sir IValter Chpton, Chief Juftice, in full 
Parfiament, confefs'd upon his Oath, that in the 
Month of September, An. it, Rich. It. the Duke of 
Norfolk charged the faid John, among others, to mur- 
iler the Duke of Gkucejler, there being prefent one John 
Ca^ox, an Efquire of the f^id Duke of Norfolk -, and 
that tb^ two then being at Caliiii> went together to our 
Ladies Church,where they {ouaAfFilHam AmpJlef,'E.{q; 

as aforefaid, fira^aii', Eltj; asaforefaid, iPllliam 

Servadlet, of the Chamber of the late King Rkhardi 
Franch Vailett, of the Chamber of the Duke of AWe- 

marli \ William Rogers, William Dennice, and • 

CefkU, Servants to the faid Dufce of A'ir/i/'i ! all whoih 
were fworn upon the Body of Chrift, before one Sir 
William Chaplin, of St George's, in the Church of our 
Lady, that they fhould not difclofe the faid Faft or 
Murder.' 

•That after this Oath made, they altogether went 
with (he Duke of Norfolk, towards the Houfe call'd the 
Knees Inn, and when chey were come, the faid Duke 
t^Norfolk caufed the Perfons aforefajd to enter into a 
Lodging within the fame Houle, and fo departed.' 

•After which John Lovetofte, with fundry other Ef' 
quireSf brought the Duke of Gkiuejhr, and deliver'd 
ibimto the taid Searl2.x\A Francis, in an Inner Parlour, 
and faid, 'There is5Mr/and Francis;' whereupon the 
Duke of G/iJMft?frfiid,'NQW I feel fhall do well,' and 
fo asked Searl now the King did ? who faid well ; and 
feni lo him Commendations, and fo the f;iid John Leve- 
f»/"« departed.' 

• Whereupon the faid Searl ani Francis, took the iaid 
Duke of Gloucejler into an Upper Chamber, faying, 
* That ihey would fpeak with him } ' unto whom when 

fhey 





4 



(Jo The T^rHamentary H i s T o r t 

fLi|^(Heaiy IV. they were come there, they faid, * That the King's WiU 

* was,that he fliould be flain ; the Duke anfwer'd therH 
to, * If it be fo It is welcome ;' that Searl and Fraiich^ 
willed the Duke to take a Chaplain, whom the Dukc^ 
there took, and was confefled.' f 
. ' After which Confeffion they caufed the Duke to lyou 
upon a Bed, upon whom fo lying, the faid Searl and? 
Francis threw a Feather- Bed, the Sides whereof theiiid- 
William Rogers^ Dennke^ and Cockle of the Chambc^ 
held ; and Searl and Francis lay on the Mouth of thi^ 
faid Duke until be' was dead- ; Colfox^ Hemp/ley^ an^ 

' Bra(Jt/haWj fat that Night by the Duke on their Knee%j 
weeping, and praying for the Soul of the faid Duke i 
and Hall^ this Examinant, kept the Door until the Did(^ 
was flain/ 

* After the Death of which Duke, the Duke of N^ 
folk came in, and feeing him dead, faid, * It were a grfal; 
*; Matter to have the faid Duke living ag^in.* \ 

• By whofe ConfefBon it feemed to tlie Lords, that hi 
the faid John HaU^ had deferved a grievous Deat}ij| 
whereupon they adjudged, by the Aflent of the King^ 
that the fame Hall fliould be drawn from Tower-flilJ 
to Tyburn^ his Bowels to be burned before him, hk 
Body to be hanged, headed, and quartered, and hi| 
Head to be fent and fet upon Calais^ and his Qu'artefl 
at the King's Pleafure ; and the Marflial the fame Day 
did Execution accordingly.' 

Though the Reader may find that this Revolution, 
Was fufficiently fanftified by the Archbifliop of Canterr^ 
bury, and all the other Bifliops, except one, concur^ 
ring with it, yet a rriore formal Teftimony was ex-* 
pedted from them. And, whilft the two Houfeso^ 
Parliament were afting, in the Manner abovefai^, M) 
Wejiminjier^ the Bifliops and Clergy met in the Con- 
vocation at St PauPs. As the King rightly judg^ 
that, in order to fupport himfelf on the l^hrone, i^ 
was necefl'ary to make that Body his Friends, he f( 
the Earls of Northumberland and Wefimor eland to afli 
them of his Pioteftion. Thefe Ambafladors, 
admitted into the Aflembly, faid, ^ That they wen 

* come from the King, not to demand Money, as ^^ 

* ufual in the former Reign 3 but to acquaint the Cta^ 



^^pp 



0/ E N G L A N D. 6i 



* gy of the King's Refoluiion to maintain them in all King Hentj 

* their Privileges nnd Immunities. Adding, that they 

* had Orders to allure the Convocation, that the King 
' was ready lo concur with them in whatever Means 

* £hould be thought proper to extirpate Herefy, and The King pro. 

* punifh obftinate Hereiicks.' Tliey concluded with ^^^"j^^"^™ 
defiring the Clergy's Prayers for the Welfare of the piting Herefy. 
King and Kingdom. 

M. R/tpin remarks here, that nothing could be more 
apt to pin the Hearts of the Ecclefiafticks, than the 
King's Promife to extirpate Herefy. The Number of 
the Lollards, which daily encreafed, gave the Clergy 
much Reafbn to fear, that in the End a Reformation 
might be fei on Foot, very detrimental to their Tem- 
poral Inierefts. Accordingly, the AlTuniQces the King 
gave the Convocation, were received with great De- 
monAratrons of Joy and Thankfulnefs. And, the 
Reader will find, in the Courfe of this Reign, that he 
ftriftiy kept his Word with ihem. 

The next Year, being /inm 1400, began with Trou- 
bles of various Kinds, but all levelled Hgainlt Henry and tu^ King of 
hts new acquired Government. The King of Fratici, Ftanct dcciiws 
wbofe Diiughier Ruhard had married, was exceedingly ^ff'"^ Henry. 
exafpcrated at the lare Revolution; and made great Pre- 
paraiiocs 'o revenge the Affront done lo his Son-in- 
Law. Henry had fcn( an Embafl'y into France, toex- 
cufe this Matter as well as he could, but the Envoys 
could proceed no farthei than Calais ; becaufe the French 
King had not only denied them his Safe-Conduift, but 
had imprifon'd an Herald they had fent to demand it. 
In this preffing Exigency, nothing but War being ex- 
pelled, and the Sinews of it very much wanted, Henry 
called a great Council of Peers to meet at Wtjlminjler^ 
on the 9th Day of ftinwrv, to confull ofproperMea- . „ 
fiircs to divert this Blow. In the Collection of Public 9tenaa\y.''a\- 
ASii is a long Memorial of what was concluded on in''J< " prevent 
this Council ; which, as It is there exprefled, was cal- c™m'!f„,t''ith 
led of Lords Spiritual and Temporal only, in this pref- ,ny T4x"fi)"tlie . 
fiog Ncceifity, to avaid fummn'tng any Parliament l^r),'^a. 

' laying any Tax or Impofuian on the Commons. 
They 

■Icmial 'J!rc fcnmcncr, lie. Fad, /3r£, 



\ 




i 



6a The Parliamentary Histor 

KiflfHciiry Vf.'^^y therefore confented to raife Forces at tl 
Expence ; andy in the Lift of the Names of 1 
then prefent, is an Account of what Number 
ei Men each Temporal Lord engaged bimfelf t 
but the Spiritual, tho' there alfo named, are o\ 
Queftion. 

Nor were the Scots lefs frightful to Henr^ 
other Side ; but taking Advantage of the DiOe 
England^ they broke the Truce, and made fei 
roads, with great Devaftations and Plunderic 
item this Tide, Henry carried his new raife 
towards Scotland ; and in his Way thither he 
to have met a Parliament he had fummoned i 
at York. For we find, that Writs of Summi 

Anno Regni i. fent out, direGed to Henry Prince of Wales^ 
1400. dated at Weliminjler the 19th Day of Septemi 
At York. Parliament to meet at Torkj on the Feaft of 
next coming. Cotton has given us no more 
Names of the Peers that were fummoned to th 
ment \ it is probable that the Bufinefs of it "v 
rupted by the InfurreQions, then made in the 
in Favour of King Richard, It is not for oui 
to be fo particular as to defcribe all thefe iiri 
againft this new fettled Goverment ; we muft 
Readers to the larger Englijh Hiftorians for t 
pofe. Sufficient it is to fay, that thefe Civil 
were foon quafhed, and the Authors of then 
Death, or perpetual Imprifonment. In this 
it was thought neceflary that the unhappy < 
though innocent of them himfelf, fhould be, 
moved \ and Richard II. underwent the ii 

Richard II. put with his Great Grandfather Edward II. to n 

to Death. Work* and p-ove this common Maxim tr 

There is hut a /mall Space betwixt the Prifons at 
of Kings (i). 

After thefe Commotions were, in fome 

Anno Regni i, Guieted* another Parliament was fummoned tc 
1401. the 21 ft of January^ in the fecond Year of t 

At Wcftminfter. ^]^^„ tlip Knlcrhrs 5»nH Rnrapflp<; wprp r^ll^r^ 



0/ E N G L A N D. 63 

Chancellor and the Steward of the King's Houfliold, King Heot| nr, J 
by Name ; upon whofe Appearance, ilie Chancellor 
put off the Parliament to ihe next Day, by the King's 
Authority. 

On the faid Day Sir fTilliiim Thyrning, Chief Juftice 
of tlie King's BetKh, by the King's Command, de- 
clared, ' That this Parliament was called to the End 
' thai Holy Church, and other Corporations and Per- 

* fons (hould enjoy their Liberties i that all good Laws 

* Ihould be executed, and Juftice truly miniftred ; and 
' that nothing fliould be done in Derogation of the 
' Common Law. 

He then rehearfed, ' What great Charges the King 

* had been at for his Coronation ; for fupprefling the 

* late Rebellion attempted by the Nobles ; lor his Ex- 

* pedition againft the Scots ; and, laftly, for refilling 

* the Rebels in North lyales ; all which Adventures 

* he had undertaken in his own proper Peilbn.' He 
turtber told them, ' That the King was bound to re- 

* turn ihe Queen into France, with all fuch Jewels 
' wid Riches as King Richard had with her in Mar- 

* riage. He put them in Mind of the Charge? for 

* beeping of Calais, and the King's other Forlrefles 
' abroad ; efpecially for the Dutchy of Guicnne, being 
' annexed to the Crown, for the which War was like- 

* ly 10 enfuc, becaufe the King of France had created 

* his eldeft Son Duke of Gniinue ; and laftly, for the 

* Wars in Scotland and Ireland. For the Support of 

* all which great Charges he urged the Lords and Com- 

* mons to confuk and to confider the Importance of 

* them : He concluded with defiring the Commons to 

* cboofe a Speaker, and to prcfent him the next Day 

* to the King. 

Then the Receivers and T/yers of Petitions were 
appointed for England, and the otivT Kingdoms and 
Countries abroad, as ufual ; and on the Day after, be- sir Anjoid Sa- 
it^ January 13, the Commons prefented to the King w choftn 
Sir Armld Savage for their Speaker, who made the ac- ^^'^'' 
nrnftotned Proteftation, for himfelf and the Commons, 
* ^'-■ch was accepted and enrolled. 

Ja the asih, the Commons by their Speaker, in full 

^lament, ' gave the King molt hearty Thanks for 

I his 



(54 The Parliamentary H i s t o i 

Wnj H«ii7 IV. ' his Promife of maintaining ihe Catholic Fait 

* defired that the King would not give an Ea 

* flanderous and untrue Reporis concerning t: 
' ceedings, but let the Event {hew the Jamc' 
being promlfed, the Speaker went on and de 
the King, ' That to every good Govcmni' 

* Things appertained, v/a. Wifdom, Prowef 

* hood and Riches ; al! which he affirmed waJ 
' King and his Nobility, as the World very we 

* and they would approve; for the Hearts an* 

* will of Stibjeas, which his Majefty had, v 

* Riches of a King. Therefore, for certain ] 
' the Commons would perfuade the King not 
' to the Challenges, which the FTCnch had mad 
' and the Lords.' This the King promifed n 
tempt without their Advice, and gave them 
for their lender good Will to him (jJ.' 

On the hit Day of January, the Comin 
Word of Mou'h prayed, that certain Peiition 
be anfwered by the King, which he, agaiDj 
might be put in Writing, and then he promifei 
fvi'tr them. 

On ihe aift of February, the Commons pra 
King to execute the Oidinance of King ^n 
Second, upon the Conquelt of IP'aUs, viz. 
Wtkhman bom fhould bear any Office in that C 
fcff. The King promifed to lend for the Ord 
and caufe Execution of it. 

They thtn required the King, that, accordinf 
Laws and Cuftoms of the Realm, he would fei 
his Hands the Houfes and Lands of all Alien \ 
and Donatives, during the Wiirs. To this the 
required Advice, and promifed to do therein 
Bithopsand Peers fliQuld inftruft him. 

The fame Day, on a like Moiion, the King 
ed all Annuities granted out of the Cuilom of V 
and at the fame time ihey required the King tc 
niit tiie Charge of Wool- weighing, and thelnv 



(•) Tbe Duke of Ortam, Brother to ihe Fwt* King, i F 
pcir Cunr^ge and Repulaiion in Atim, had lent a Chaltecge 
to meet him at Bmrimut, with i huadred (lout Waniocs an 
ihe.a to fight, ana each Victor id hive bis PHfoner. Tbil Ac 
flatcd two or Uuee Yean later by al! out Hiiioiisai, 



L 



Of ENGLAND. 6s 



King. RJchard's Goods, which the Trcafurcrs had KIdj Henry IV. 
deliverS to them, to fome Perfon^ as might make due 
Enquiry thereof, and difchargc the Commors of il. 
They, alfo defired, * That all Matters tranlailed in this 
' Parliament, might be engrofl'ed before the Departure 
' of the Juftices.' ' It wasanfwered, * That the Clerk 

* of Parhament had Orders fo to do.' 

At the fame time the Commons declared, ' That it 
' ^vas not the ufual Cuftom for them to gram any Sub- 

* fidy before ihey had received Anfwers to their Peti- 

* tionsi and prayed the Obl'ervation of that Cuftom 

* from thenceforth.' Upon this the King required a 
Gjnfcrence with the Lords ; and, on (he laft Day of 
the fcffion, gave the Commons this Anfwer, 'That 
' there was never any fuch Uie Itnown, but that they 
' fliould firft go through with all other Bufitiefs, which 
' Ordinance the King intended not to alter." Alter 
which a Subfidy was granted of one Tenth, and one 
Fi/ieenth ; Two Shillings on every Ton of Wine, and A Subfidy, 
Eight- Pence in the Pound on Merchandize. 

The Lords Temporal, with the King's AFent, ad- 
I judged T^iffWdJ Holland late Earl of Kent, 'Jehn I^/- ^oa^eiinp i- 
. !aid late Earl of Huniingtan, John Montagu late Earl ^^^ l"'"^t. 
■ of SaHJiury, Thomas le Dejpenfer and Riilph ^""Uy^iaa, St. 
" ^is, and feveral others, who were, for their Ttca- 
and Rebellions, taken by certain of the King's 
"fa, and beheaded as Traitors, [hat they Ihould 
aU fuch Lands as they had in Fee, January the 

, in the Firft of this King, or 'at any Time after, 

together wiih ail their Goods and Chattels. To which 
judgment all the Lords prefent put their Names. 

But the Commons fhewcd themfelves more chari- 
nble than the Lords; for, coming before the King, 
Mhrch the ^ih, their Speaker in an Oration he made 
to the Throne, took occafion, ' to liken the three Eftates 
' of the Realm to tlie Tnniiy, as confifting of King, 
' Bifbops and Lords, and the Commons ; whetein, 
' adds he, ought to be Unity ; and therefore prayed 

* the King to reconcile the Earl of Rutland and lh« 

• Lord Filz-ivaller {x). '' Thefe Lords kneeling, 

fame lime, and fubmitting themfelves to the 
iL. a. E King 



(>) Sec btfdic, F. s>. 



' the « 

"J 



66 The Tarliamentary H i s T o 

Kiag Heait IV, King's Will, were both pardoned. The < 
firft, and the Lords after, pray that the Earl 
fet might have the lame Mercy extended to I 
Earl of RutlamU and be both rcftored to xhi 
Names and Liberties, notwithftanding the 
given againft them, primo Regis ; which t 
with Thanks for their Motion, alfo grantee 
Earls had forfeited the Titles of Duke of 
and Marqi:efs of Dorfet^ by that Judgment, 
mer of them, being Son to the Duke of 
merited fome Favour by being thd firft,tho' in 
Difcoverer of a dangerous Confpiracy againft , 
Some more Afts of Clemency, to private Per 
done in this Parliament, which the King, lik< 
Prince, thought proper to gild his Caufe wit 
cftablifli his Throne in Mercy. 

An Affair of the like Nature with the pi 
deferves alfo our Notice : It feems, that 
Spenfcr^ the famous Bifliop of Norwich^ fo mi 
of in the Beginning of the laft Reign (z)^ hac 
« cufed by Sir Thomas Erpingham, then Vice-Ch 

to the King, of being a Stirrer in the laft Infu 
or, at leaft, a Favourer of that Caufe. Tl 
was fent for to come before the King in Pa 
and on his Appearance, the King ordered hi 
placed in his accuftomed Seat ; then his Maje( 
ed, * That he took ihe Accufations of the faic 

* mas againft the faid Bifhop to be juft, anc 

* teed from the great Zeal the Accufer 

* him ; nevertheleft, confidering the Order of 

* Bifhop, and that he was of the King's Line 

* to obh'ge him to better Behaviour for the fi 

* pardoned the faid Bifliop all his Mifprifi( 

* againft his Perfon.' The whole Bench of 
flood up at this, and gave his Majefty thei; 
in open Parliament ; and defired him to caufe 
Bifhop of Norwich^ and Sir Thomas Erphi^ 
Ihake Hands and kifs each other, in Token o; 

The Commons required the King to affift ir 

(y) He was concerned in a Plot, with the Earls of Kent 
ton, Salifiiury, &c, [See P. 65.] for rcftoring King Richard ; 
ing Wown, he favM himfelf, by msjsinz the firft Difcovery." 
'(»J Uc Vol. I. p. 377. ' 



Of ENGL AN D. 67 

t Schifm then in the Church of Romiy which had King Hcniy IV* 
lucd a long time, if it could be done without 
Charge to -this Realm. The Lords alfo defired 
ime ; the King anfwered, * That the Bifliops 
aid confider of it.* And, at Home, in order 
iprefs the Reformers, or the Followers of Wick^ 
Doftrine, which was ftill adhered to by many, 
rit is mentioned in the Records of this Parlia- 

to be fcnt to the Sheriffs of London for the Burn- 
f William Sawtrej 2l Clerk, convided of Herefy by 
krgy> and by them adjudged to be burnt fj). 
c was alfo a Statute made at this Seffion of Par- An Aft for put- 
nt touching the imprifoning or punifhing, with ^^!^^"'^*^ *" 
1, fuch as held any erroneous Opinion in Religion j 
7^//w remarks, that the printed Statute differs 
ly from the Record, not only in Form, but much 

in Matter, in order to maintain Ecclefiaftical Ty- 
r{b). 'HisPublifher, Prynne^ has this Note upon 
That this was the firft Statute and butcherly Knife, 
X the impeaching Prelates procured, or had, againft 
I pocw Preachers of Chriji's Gofpel.* Mafter Pox 
s, alfo, that King Hinry IV. who depofed King 
vd 11. was the firft of all Englijh Kings that bc- 
he unmerciful Burning of Chriji^s Saints {c), 
jwcver, fome other Laws were made in this Par- Another againil 
5it, of great Ufe and Advantage to the State, viz. P^ovifions from 
bat no Provifions Ihould be brought from Romey ^°"^* 

E 2 * by 

Parifh Prieft of St. Ojitb in London. Stowe fays, He was the firft 
hat fufFered Death for Religion in England, TheWrit from the King 
i4 to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London, aj comAurendtm Williel* 
iacaXxt Capellanunty is inRvMEn'^Fa^/. Atg, Tom. VJ II. P. 178. 
This A^ having been repealed by Parliament 25 Henry VIII. and 
1 Times fiace, is not printed at large in our|^tatute-Book8. An 
id of it is given, Ann, zdo^ Hen, IV. Cap, aV. in this Manner i 
t Catholic Faith and the Holy Church, amongft all the Kingdoms 
the Worldy hath been very devoutly obferved in England, and 
l«wed> which hath not been troiubled with Herefy. And there- 
: none {hall preach without Licence from the Diocefan of the 
le Place. None {hall preach or write any Book contrary to, the 
hoKc Faith^ or the Determination of Holy Church. None 
U make any Conventicles of fuch Seds and wicked DoArines, nor 
U £ivour fuch Preachers. Every Ordinary may convene before him, 
I imprifon any Perfon fufpefted of Herefy. An obftinate Heretic 
B be burned before the People, &eJ* See Collxir'x Eccl, Hifiory, 
i^j&c. Tindal, ta his Notes on JStf/vVr^ (ays, that thii bloody 
te was not repealed till the Year 1677, ^^ ^^» 49^* ^* 4" 
F^ff's AStt and Mpqiunentf^ P. ^7$. 



r 



iP 



68 The Parliamentary H i s t o r r 



King Heniy IV. ' by any Religious Pcrfon, to exempt them from Oh 

* dience to the Secular Power ; and that ail fuch ft 

* fons who {hall bring any fuch Provifions into ll 
' Nation, (hall incur a Pramumre. That no Pafi 

* fliall carry any Gold or Silver Coin outoftheNaM 

* without a fpecial Licence from the King ; and if an 

* one (hall prefume to do to the contrary, he {hal!f« 

* feit a!l the faid Coin to the King- That ibe C 

* grapherofthe Common-Pleas, the Clerk of the 

* and King's Binch., and the Marfhal of the MarM 
' of the King's Houfe, ftiould take no greater 1 

* than what are prefcribed and limited by l' 

* tutes {d).' By thefe Ads, fays an Hiftoria . 
due Subjeftion of the Clergy and People was prcd 
and fecured to the King ; the Trafficfc of the Nfl 
promoied ; and the Courts of Juftice made eafy,4 
not an intolerable Grievance, as IJnce they have IT 
to all fuch as feelc their Rights [e]. 

There is a long Chain of Petitions from the C 
mons, with the Anfwers to them in Sir Robett CW(Ǥ 
but as they are moft of them on Law-Affairs, or pi 
vate Propenies, we fliall omit them, and haften [ 
Concl'ifion of this Parliament, which may be tl "" 
too tedious already. , 

On Thurfday the tenth of March, being tho 
Day of this Parliament, the Commons all fcneelo 
fore the King, and befought him to pardon then 
through Ignorance ihey might have offended 1 
which the King readily granted. Then the wholir 
fembly heard Mafs tt^eiher, when the Archl»ftie| 
Canterbury read the Epiftle and Gofpel j the Kin 
the Sacrifice by promifing to maintain the FaH 
Holy Church ; and when they were come to iay, 
mi^ eji, isf Deo Gralias, the Commons offered 
granted Subfidy ; for the which the King returned ' 
all Thanks, and the Chancellor difmilTed them to 
own Home. We may well fuppofe this Piec 
Mock-Devotion and Pngcaniry quite new, and 
praflifed, aJ Caplum Fulgi, Since we have not met 
the like in the Records, or Hiftories, of any f 
Reigns. 2 





0/ E NGLAND. 



«5 



■ Jfeury's new got Diadem was by no means eafy on Kins Henry iv. 

Head, as yet i for a dangerous Infurreilion was begun 
iin Walts, under the Condui5t of Ozvin Glindaur. 
iThis Welch General made an Incurlion into Hereford- Inrarreaion in 
■pin, where being oppofed by Edmund Mortimer, Earl ^'^' 
of March, who, as is faid before, was retired to hb 
CaftJe oiJfigmijri in thai County, the latter was de- 
feated and taken Prifoner (/). Henry was no ways dif- 
pleafed at this News; nor in anyHafte to have the cap- 
'rive Earl releafed from Imprifonment, who, himfelf 
■WM, at length, more reconciled to it ; for by Hinry's 
(y of every thing relating to his Crown, and his 
_-.y to thofe who either could or would difpute it 
Kllim, the captive Earl migh: think himfelf fafer 
VUbn than in his own Houfe. This dreaded Ene- 
being fecured, Henry ftill knew there were not 
Wanting in the Kingdom, Perfons, who laid hold of 
every Occalion to find fault with his Condudl. There 
was Itill a dangerous Fermenc amongft his Subjefls ; 
md if the Malecontenis remained quiet, it was only 
in Expcdation of a favourable Opporiunity to rife. 
Reports were fpread that King Richard was yet alive ; 
but the Authors of it, being found out, fu&ered Death 
without Mercy. The King's great Severity, fliewn 
on this occalion, contributed very much to efface the 
JOod Opinion conceivsd of his Clemency and Hu- 
toanity. 

In the midft of thefe Confufions and Anxieties, Anno Regni 3, 
BtnTy found himfeif obliged to call a Parliament; ■*='»• 
fcrwe find in the Mrtdgment of Records, that Writs *' ^°*°"^'* 
►WB fent out for one to meet at Weftminfier, the Day 
Uier Candlemas, in the third of this King, and in the 
Year 1402 ; but nothing more is given of it, than the 
Names of the Peers fummoned to it (g). 
And ii was not till the next Year, that another Par- Anno Regni 4, 
it was fummoned to meet, ai the fame Place, on . w'o^il-n, 
■ow after St- Michael, or September the 30th, * '* 

being afiemblcd, and the Knights, tff. called 
w ufual in the Court of Chancery, the next 
E 3 Day 



t HiftcriaoE w 

Mpnp, it WJI adjou 



re, ihat tJii) Parliament met at Cpemiry, 
^n of the Pliice on atcnunt oE Pinvilioui 

I'd 10 mjlm>-Jlir, 



JO The Parliamentary History 

Kir-i Henry IV. D^y 'he Lord High Chancellor, in the Prefcnce of th 
King, declared the Caufe of their Meeting to b^ 
Firft, for preferving the Rights and Liberties of Hoi 
Church, and of all Corporations and Perfons. 

Then, he took for his Theme, Pax multa diWgentibii 
Ltgem ; fn>ni which he took Occalion ' Tocomraet« 
' Peace, and to fhew the great Bleflings of it. H( 
' faid, that Peace was always wiih thofe that obcyct 
' the Laws; and, contrarily, he urged the Gall am 
' Mifchief of DilTention and Difobcdience ; and tha 

* there was no other way to check Peace- breakers thai 

* by War. He declared that by Diflention and pri- 
' vate Difcotd, the Flower of all Chivalry, the Stod 
' of Nobles within this Realm, was in a manner 

* lately, confumed ; and that the whole Nation was i; 

* danger of being fubverted, had not God^ as a Deli 
' veter, raifed up the King. 

' He put them in mind of the King's late gri 

* Viftory againft the Smi ; he much lamented t 
' great Schifm in the Church, by having two Popes 
' and told them that the King intended to do his Par 
' towards healing the fame. He then defircd them Q 
' provide Ways and Means for maintaining the Wi 

* againft Scotland ; for utterly fubjeifiing the Enemit 
' in ^alei ; for wholly conquering Ireland, and puttin 
' a Stop to their Prince in that Country ; for defendin 
' Guienns, Calais, and the Mailhes thereof; and dl 
' fired the Commons to chufe a Speaker, and to pre 
' fent him on the Morrow for Approbation.' 

The next Day the Commons prefented Sir Henry t 
ledfo^'^horen ^^/"''^ ^^^ ihcir Speaker, who making the commo 
Bpciker. Proteftation, it was granted. This Houfe took fevB 

ral Days to confider of the Lord Chancellor's Charge fi 
them ; and we find that ihey were much at a lo(s what- 
to determine. For on the roth Day of O^eber, ' 
Chancellor acquainted the King, that the Comm 
defired to have certain of the Lords fent to them, \ 
whom they might confer. The King granted their R( 
queft, with this Proteftation, * That the fame was doD 
' out of Favour, and nor of Duty ;' which Pioteft wj 
enrolled by the Clerk. Then the King fent the Sto 
ward of his Houfhold and his Secretary to the Com 




I 0/ E N G L A N D. 71 

■ODS, to acquaint them with it; who returned for King Henr^nr, 

Boiwer to the King, that they accepted of his Protef- 

kioD ; and accordingly four Bifhops, four Earls, and 

mx Barons were ordered to attend ihem. 

F On the 1 6th of Offober^ the Commons in full Par- 

■unenty by the Mouth of their Speaker, * gave to the 

r King their moft humble Thanks for his many valiant '^•.'^*" Sac. 

r Exploits , namely, for bis laft Expedition into Scot- JJebiJli, ^* 

r knd^ and for his three feveral Journies into Waks^ Scotland. 

r finHCc the former ; wherein, they took Occafion to 

r praife the Valour of the Prince ; and forgot not to 

[* mention the noble Service performed by the Lord 

p Tbmas^ the King's fecond Son, in Ireland. As for 

I* Ihc Viftory in Scotland^ they humbly hoped, that by 

V good Policy it might be made to turn to the Advan- 

f tige and Safe of the Commons ; and, becaufe, in 

• tbat Battle, the Earl of Northumberland behaved gal- 

• lantly, thqr prayed the King to give him Thanks.* 
' On ^e 2oih, the King being placed, on his Royal 
Throne, the Earl of Northumberland and other Lords ^^^^ ^. - 
; breast before him Sir Mordach le Steward^ Son andprifoi^bro^S»e 
fieirto the Duke of Albany^ Brother to the King of before the Pkr- 
to; the Lord Montgomeriij Sir William Grave ^ Sir^**°^** 
JUam Fefler^ Scots ; and Sir James de Helfiy^ Sir Pierce 
Bezarsy and John Darney^ Efq; Frenchmen ; who, with 
ofters were taken Prifoners in the Battle of Hambledon 
Bm^ nigh TVoolland in the County of Northumber- 
torf, on the Day of the Exaltation of Holy Crofs, or 
tiftember the 14th laft paft [g). 

Thefe Prifoners in coming into the King's Prefence, 
heeled three Times ; firft, at the mite- Hall- Gate of 
fc King's Palace, then in the midft of the Hall, and 
tftly before the Throne ; and, whilft they were ftill 
hcding. Sir Jdam Fojler^ in the Name of them all, 
kimbly prayed the King, that they might be entenain- 
d according to the Courfe of War ; which the King, 
toufe they were taken valiantly fighting in the Field, 

E 4 readily 

(l) Or Halidown Hill, Thii Battle was gained by the Earl of 
' ^bumkerland and Hinry furnamed Hotffur, his Son ; where io,ooa 
^ were Hain, and many taken Prifoners. But a Qu^-rrel foon after 
*ofe between the King and the Earl about thele Prifoners, which had 
jioe to itave been of fatal Confequeace to the King ; but was really fo 
k the Eod^ to the Earl and his whole Family. 



yi The Parliamentary History 

lOBgHtiiTjiv. readily granted. Then the faid Sir Adam declaiti je 
' That in order to flop iheEfFufion of CAri/?/iiB Blood,! t- 
' was row in the King's Power to have either afiu e 
' Peace or 3 League-' Upon which [he King aufwerc^ n 

* Thai by his own Flattery and Untruth he was taudt m 

* to be wifer, than to iruft them ; fince he had caiml □ 

* [he King, by relying upon his Word, to leave Sat' s 

* LW fooner than heiniended todo.' ^n Adairf^M I 
Pardon for this, and then ihey were committed to tlie a 
Care of the Steward of the Houfhold, to wait tfit -. 
King's Pleafare. f« 

On the 6th of Nsvimitr, the Commons prayed the !■ 
King to confider the Loyalty of Jehn Earl of Smtr- e 
/et, and to reftore him to the Name and Honour of i 
Marquefs, which he lately loft. The King reqmrri t 
Advice upon this i but the ^arl faid, that the Title of 'a 
Maiquefs was new and unufual, and therefore deliid i 
that he might be cxcufed from taking it. 

On the 25th of the fame Month the Commons, 
with Aiient of the Bifliops and Lords, granted lo tbs 
A Subfidy King the ufual Sublidy on Wools, Woo!-f els and Skins, 
P"""'- for three Years ; alfo Three Shillings on every Tun of 

Wine, and Twelve-pence in the Pound on Mer- 
• chaiidize, befides a Tenlh and a Fifieiiith. This lai?e 

and exieiifivc Grant put the King into fbch a good 
Humour, that he fent ihc Earl of Northumberlam to 
invite the whole Body of tlie Commons to dine wiA 
him the next Day j which, we fuppcfe iheydid accoid- 
ingl-y. And, there being nothing worth our Notice, 
either in the farther Proceedings of this Parlia[nenl, or 
in the Petitions, we fliall conclude with the Diflblutioa 
of it, which was on the 25ih of November aforefaid, 
Pierey Eirl of This Year a dangerous Rebellion was fet on foot. 
North umbetiaoii, which had like to have proved fatal to the King and 
ind other. revolt. iiis Government. The principal Agents in it, werelbe 
Family of P/>r<ry, with the Earl of A^riAHm^w/flnrf their 
Head, who had been the chief Inftruments of raifii^ 
Henry to the Throne. But, growing jealous of one 
another, they foon loft ail Refpefls, and turned from 
faft Friends to be the moft mortal Enemies. The Bat- 
tle of Hambledon or Halidsivn- Hill, led on by the 
Earl and Hsnry Piirry, furnamed HatJ^ur^ his Son j 
where 



Of ENGLAND. 73 

vhere 'tis faid, that 10,000 Scets were flain, and many m^j h,^ jt. 

1 Prifonera, the Principal of which had been pre- 
4 to the King in Parliament) was the chief Motive. 
^,a Difpute happening between Heiry and the Male- 
lents, about the Difpofal or Exchange of fome 
"jners, they took thatOpporrunity to raifc Forces, 
' id Defiance to the Sovereign of their own malcing. 
J was as aftive in his Oppofition, and brought 
n an Army which met with the difcontented Lords 
^reu'fiury^ where a terrible Battle was fought be- 
m them. Hall, in his Chronicle, tetls us, that the 
^t before the Battle, the Earl, hia Brother, and Son, 
Tent a Challenge to Henry, compritcd in feveral Ar- 
licies, which feverely treated and branded him with 
Ufiirpation and Perjury. Thefe Articles are given at 
length by the afoicfaid old Hiftorian, but are ftrangely 
afiridg*d and mangled by the Moderns ; therefore, tho' 
not ftriflly Parliamentary, yet they well deferve a Place 
in thefc Enquiries, and are as follow [h) : 

* We Henry Perty, Earl of Northumberknd, High Th*ir R<noa. 
« ConftaWe of Engknd, and Warden of the Well ^'>"» "P™* 
' Marches of England towards Scotland ; Hinry Percy, "^' 

• our eldeft Son, Warden of the Eaft Marches of £»/- 
« land towards Scotland ; and Thomas Percy, Earl of 

• IVarceJler, being Pro£tors and Proteflois of the Com- 

• monwcalth, before our Lord yefui Chrifl, our Su- 

• preme Judge, do alledge, fay, and intend to prove 
' with our Hands perfonally, this inftantDay, againft 

• thee Hinry Duke of Lancajler, thy Complices and 
' Favourers, unjuftly prefuming and named King of 

• England, without Title of Right, but only of thy 

• Guile and by Force of thy Fautors j th^t when thou 
' after thine Exile didft enter England, thou raadeft an 

• Oath to us upon the HolyGofpels, bodily touched and 

• kiflfd by thee at Doncafier, that thou wouldft never 
' claim the Crown, Kingdom or State Royal, but on- 

• ly thine own proper Inheritance, and the Inheritance 
■ of thy Wife in England ; and that Richard, our So- 

• vereign Lord the King and thine, fhould reign dur- 

• ing the Term of his Life, governed by the good 

* Coun- 



74 '^he Tar/iamentary H 1 8 T o k, t 

y * Council of the Lords Splriiual and Temporal 
' ' haft iniprilored ihc fame thy Sovereign Lord and 

* King, within the Tower of Lendm, until be ' 
' for Fear of Death, refigned his Kingdoms of 
' landznA Frame, and had renounced all his Rij 

* the forefaid Kingdom!:, and others his Dominioi 

* Lands beyond the Sea. Under Colour of wHd 

* Refignation and Renunciation, by the Counfel of ti] 

* Friends and Complices, and by the open Noifing of 

* the Raica! People by thee and thy Adherents aCem- 

* bled at IVeihmnflir^ (hou haft crowned thy felf K* 

* of the Realms aforel'aid ; and haft feized and entf 

* into all the Caftles and Lordfhips pertaining lo the 

* King's Crown, contrary to thine Oath j wHerefore' 

' Ihou arc forfworn and falfe, ij 

* Alfo, we do alledge, lay, and intend to proTe* 

* that whereas thou fworeft upon the fame Gof 
' the fjme Place and Time to us, that thou wouldft 
' not fufFer any Difmes to be levied of the Clergy, nor 

* Fifteenths of the People, nor any other Tallages aed ■^ 

* Taxes to be levied in l^e Realm of England to the 

* Behoof of the Rtalm during thy Life, but by the 
' Conlideration of the three Eftates of the Realm, ex- 

* cept for great Need, in cafes of Importance, or for 

* the Reliftance of our Enemies only, and none otheT- 

* wife : Thou, contrary to ihinc Oath To made, haft 

* caus'd to be levied tight many Difmes and Fiftuoth | 
' and other Impoliiions and Tallages, as well of the 

* Clergy as of the Commonalty of the Realm of £nf- 

* land, and of the Merchants, for Fear of thy Majefty 

* Royal ; wherefore thou art perjured and falfe. 

* Alfo we do alledge, fay, and intend to prove, that 

* whereas thou fworeft to ns upon the fame Gofpels, 
' in the fotelaid Place and Time, that our Sovereigti 

* Lord and thine. King. Richard, fbould reign during 

* Term of his Life in his Royal Prerogative and Dig- 
' nity i thou haft caufed the fame our Sovereign Lord 
' and thine, traiteroufly wiihin the Caftle of Pofite- 
' /raif^ without the Confenc or Judgment of the 
' Lords of the Realm, by the Space of fifteen Days 
' and fo mnny Nights (which is hoirible among Chri- 
' ftian People to be heard) with Hunger, Thiift and 

' Cold 



O/ENGLAND. 75 

* Cold to perifli, and be murdered ; wherefore thou art KioEHenryM 
' perjured and falle. 

' Alio, We do alledge, fay and intend to prove, 

* that thou at that Time when our Sovereign Lord and 
' thine. King Richard, was To by that horrible Mur- 
' der dead as above-faid, thou by extorted Power, 
' did'ft ufurp and take the Kingdom of England^ and 

* the Name and the Honour of ihe Kingdom of Frame, 
' unjuftly and wrongfully, contrary to thine Oath, 
' from Edmund Meriimer, Earl of March, and of 
' UlUer^ the then next and direft Heir of England 
' and of France immediately by due Courfe of Inheri- 
' lance after the Deceafe of the forefaid Richard ; 
' wherefore thou art perjured and falfe. 

' Alfo, We do alledge, fay, and intend to prove, as 
' aforefaid, that whereas thou mad'ft an Oath in the 
' fame Place and Time, to fupport and mLiirtiain the 
' Laws and good Cuiioms of the Realm of England j 

* and alfo afterward, at the Time of thy Coronation, 
' ihou mad'ft an Oath, the laid Laws and good Cu- 
' ftoms to keep and conferve inviolable : Thou and 
' thy Fautors, fraudulently, and contrary to the Law 
' of England, have written almoft through every Shire 
' o( Er^gland, to chufe fuch Knights for to ho!d a 

* ^liament as ihall he for thy Pleafure and Purpofe j 
'. fo that in thy Parliaments no Juftlce Ihould be mini- 
' ffcr'd, againft ihy Mind, in thefe our Complaints now 
' moved and Ihewed by us, whereby at any Time we 

* m^ht have any perfeft Redrefs, notwithftanding that 
' We, according to our Confcience { as we iruft ruled 

* by God J have often times thereof ctymplained, as 
' well can leftify and bear Witnefs the Right Reverend ' 
' Fathers in God, Thomas AiundcR, Archbilhop of 
' Cantirbury, and Richard Scrape, Archbifhop of 
' Twk : Wherefore now by Force and Strength of 
' tfand, before our Lord /f/ai Chrijl^ we muft feek 

* our Remedy and Help. 
* Alfo we do alledge, fay, and intend to prove, that 

iliereas Edmund Mm turner, Etirl of March sr,dlJJ/!er, 

taken Prifoner by Owen Gkndour, in a |ii;(hed 

foughten Field, and caft into Prifon, and Irdeti 

Ith Iron Fetters, for thy Matter and Caufc, ' ' ~m 




1 



y6 The 'Parliamentary History 

Eioi Mtnry IV. ' falfely thou haft proclaimed willingly to yield hia 
' felf Prifoncr to the faid Oiven Glendar, and neitlj 

* wouldft deliver him thy felf, nor yet fuffer us L 

* Kinfmen to ranfom and deliver him : Yet notwi^ 
' ftanding, we have not only concluded and agre. 

* with the fame Owen for his Ranfom, at our propi 

* Charges and Expences, but alfo for a Peace betwee 

* thee and the faid Owin. Why haft thou then i 

* only publithed and declared us as Traitors, bur all 

* craftily and deceitfully imagined, purpofed and con 

* fpired the utter Deftrjftion and Confufion of od 

* Perfons ? For the which Caufe we defy thee, tH 

* Fautors and Complices as common Traitors an 

* Deftroyers of the Realm, and iha Invaders, Opprel 
' fors and Confounders of the very true and rig" 

* Heirs to the Crown of Engbnii, which Thing i 

* intend with our Hands to prove this Day, Almight 
' God helping us, 

A Bitcie enfuM, This Charge was feDt to King Henry from ti 
wheicin they are Lords^ []y two Efquires, who, having read them, ai 
""" ' fwered, very coolly, ' I'hat he was ready to proi 

* their Quarre! to him falfe and feigned, by dint i 

* Sword and bloody Battle, and not by flanderotn 
' Words and Writings ; and that he doubted not biil 
' Almighty God would aid and allift his righteous 

* Caufe, againft fuch unfaithful Perfons and falfe fore- 
' fworn Traitors.' Accordingly, the next Day a fierce 
and bloody Battle was fought, near Shrewjbury ; where 
lI)o'atlirft, the Lord^ had the Advantage, yet in tbfl 
End, that furious young Hero, Hoijpur, being flain, 
their whole Army was routed, killed on the Spot, at 
taken Prifoncrs. Amongft whom was Thomas Percy^ 
Earl of WQrcefier, who was prefcntly beheaded in th() 
Field. 

' TJiis Battle was fought Jtdy 22, 1403. The Eafl 
of Northumberland was then with an Army in tba 
Nerihy but the King marching againft him, he thought 
fit to come in upon the Terms offered to favc hinifelj 
and Fortune. 
140T' ^' '^'^^ '''^'y "^^' W'"'" 'n the 5th Year of this King's 
AtWeiiminftcr. Reign, :mo[hcr Parliament was fummoncd 10 meet at 

iVefiminpr^ 



°^ CyENGLAND. yy 

^ifimfiiTj the Day after St. Hilary oi January theKjagHe»yiy, 
(•4th. When being all afi'embled, the Bimop of Lon-- 
tjirfiir, the King's Brother (/), and then Lord Chancellor 
England^ in the Prefeiice of the King, Lords and 
^>;Cbmmoii8, declared the Caufe of the Parliament i for 
--"^idic Prefcrvation of Holy Church, ^c. 

: He then took for his Text thefe Words, Mubitudo 
SapiiMtium^ &c, and thereby, learnedly, argued, * That 
by C6uncil every Realm was governed 5 he refemb- 
led every State to the Body of a Man, and applied 
the Right Hand to the Church, and the T^eft to the 
Temporal Lords, and the reft of the Members to 
the Commonalty ; of all which Members and Eftates, 
the King, as the Head, was defirous to have their 
Advice^ and had called the faid Parliament, on divers 
Occa^ns, for, that Purpofe. 
• The firfl Thing that he put them in mind of, 
was the utter Suppreffion of the /^T^p/cA Rebellions; 
for repelling ±e Malice of the Duke of Orleans, and 
the Earl of St. Paule, who had bent themfelves whol- 
ly againft the King and Realm, as appeared by then: 
late Defcent upon the Ifle of Wight, where they 
were repulfed. To coniider, alfo, the imminent 
Dan^ that the Marfhes of Calais, Guienne, and o- 
ther Dominions, beyond Sea, were then in ; to re- 
member the Wars in Ireland and Scotland, and 
likewife to take Order touching the late Rebellion 
under Henry Peircy, and others his Adherents at the 
late Battle at Shrew/bury; and then, defired the 
ConMnons to chufe, and the next Day to prcfent 
their Speaker.* 

Accordingly, the next Day the Commons came be- sir Arnold Sa- 
fore the King, and prefented Sir Arnold Savage for their vage chofea 
Speaker : Whereupon the faid Sir Arnold made the ^P^^«'« 
ufual Proteftation, for himfelf and the Commons, 
which was allowed. 

The iirft Things we find that the Commons in 
this Parliament went upon, were thefe : * They de - 
♦ fired the King to have Regard to the Charges for 

* repreffing 

(/) This Prelate was Henry Beaufort, Half-Brother to the King by 
Katberint $winfcrd. He is aot ifli ts N£V£*8 Fdfti, as BUhop of. 



i 



78 7he Tarliamentary History 

Kins """7 '■^- ' repreffing tlie lyekh Rebels, and iafe keeping of th 
' Sea ; to confider the great Expences of his oi 
' Houiholdj and that both the King and Prince nii| 
' give Liveries according to the Statute made for tl 

* purpofe. That the King would provide for the Rj 

* pairs of his Cafties and Houfes, and, namciyi fortaj 

* Caftle at IFmdjhr, which were all greatly in Decay 

* and not grant away the Profits of thofe Caftles ai 

* Houfes, and (land to the Repairs of them himlelf 
' by doing which he murt be obliged to charge h 

* Commons greatly, which might endacger the whol 
' Ellate.' 

On the i8ih of February, the Eari of Narthumber 

The EjtI of land came into Patliameni, before the King and Lord 

S'oSi™.'"''""' ^'^ '''^'■^ ^y ^'^ Petition to :he King, acknowledged t 

have afled againft his Allegiance; namely, Aprgathei 

ing of Forces and giving Liveries, for whtchTie crave 

Pardon ; and the rather, for that on the King*i Lctta 

he yielded himfelf, and came to the King to Yiri 

whereas he might have kept himfelf away. The Kin 

delivered this Petition to the Judges, to be by thw 

conli4ered j hut the Lords made Proteftation againft i 

, and that the ordering thereof belonged to ihemfclT* 

wfl^glini^reftI-A'^co^ding!y^ they, as Peers of Parliament, to whoi 

line Cafe! of only fuch Judgment belonged, in confideting welltl 

Treafontothe Statute of thc 25th of £i^a;.2'"^ni. touching Treafon 

^'^ and the Statute of Liveries made in this King's Tin 

adjudged the Earl's Crime to be noTrenfon nor Feloi^ 

but, only, a Trefpafs fineablc to the King. 

which Judgment the faid Earl gave great Thanks 1 

the King and Lords ; and at his own Requeft, he w 

fwora to be a true Liegeman to the King, to tl 

Prince, and to the Heirs of his Body begotten, ai 

to every of the King's Sons, and to their IHue fiM 

ceeding to the Crown of England, according to LaH 

That done, the King pardoned the faid Earl his Fk 

and Ranlbm [k). 

The Archbifhop of Canterbury prayed the KJnj 

{i) The Anidei on which ihs Earl of Nsribaabcrh'.i furrei 
hijoiell' to Hnrfi ani mliicli Viae to be confirmed bjr PailiamiBt 
in the Puhlici Mit undo this Title ; 

CmWh QupwwrrMHm cms CamlU NorthumbrTse, 

' Fed. Ang. r™, Vtll. P. 36+ Cmllite. 



'°S 




©^ENGLAND. 75) 

ftt forafmuch as he and the Duke of Tork^ with other King Heary iv, 
ops and Lords, were fufpeded by many to be in 
Confederacy with Henry Percy Son to the Earl of 

Northumberland^ that the faid Earl would fpeak the 

'ruth ; on which the Earl, by the King's Command, 
his Oath, purged them all from that Matter. But 
fche feme Day, the levying of War by the faid Sir Henry 
9ircy was adjudged Treafon, by the King and Lords, in 
■uU Parliament. 

The Commons proceeded in their firft Defign of re- 
gulating the King's Houfliold, with whom the Lords 
•ccorded ; and they required that four Perfons fhould . 

I)e removed out of the Kmg's Houfe, viz, the Abbot ^kg" Officers 
of Dore^ the King's Conieflbr, with Durham and rcmov'd upon 
Crosbiej Gentlemen of his Chamber. On February the |^^^' °^ ^" 
9th, the Confeffor, Durham and Crosbie^ came into 
Parliament, before the King and Lords, when his 
Majefty took occafion to excufe thofe Officers himfelf, 
feying, * That he knew no Caufc why they (hould be 

• removed, but only becaufe they were hated by the 

• People.* Yet, he charged them to depart from his 
Houfe according to the Delire of the Commons, and 
would have proceeded in the fame Manner againft the 
Abbot, had he been prefent. The Commons prayed, 
alfo, * That fuch might be appointed Officers of the 

* King's Houfbold, as were known to be of virtuous 

* Life, and that the Lords and themfelves might be 

• privy to the taking of them. 

And a War with France being fuddenly expeiled, the 
Commons defired, ' That the Commiffion for arraying 

• and muttering of Men, and watching of Beacoris, 

* might be amended ; and that from thenceforth there 

* fliould be no other Alteration in the Form of it.* To 
which, the King, with the Aflent of the Lords, and, 
after Confultation had with the Judges, confented* 
The Form and Precedent of the faid Commiffion 
ftands next on the Roll. This Commiffion the Reader 
will find much canvaffed, both|I>y King and Parliament, 
in our later Civil Diflentions. . 

At the Requeft of the Commons, a Committee of 
Lords were, particularly, appointed to make fome far-x 
ther Regulations, who agreed on ihcfe Articles. 

'Firfts 



So The Tarliamentary History 

Kini Henry IV, ' Firft, that ail Foreigners, in ihe Intercft of il 

And th R ' Anti-Pope, be not fuffcred to be about the King 
iitions in hu""' Perron,butbebanifii'd the Realm (/). And,that oth< 
Houlbolii. ' Strangers, who were Catholicks, and panicularl 

* thofe of DuUhland, [fe tranjlaied'] be appointed I 
' remain upon luch of the Fioniiers of the Kingdoi 
' where Garrifons are. 

* Next, that all French Pcrfons, Bntms, LombarJi 

* Italians^ and Bavarians whaifoever, be removed o 
' of the Houfe from the King and Qiieen i except tl 

* Queen's two Daughters, Maria, and St Micbet 

* Jiiier and John Purlan, and their Wives (m). Ai 

* that no Wekbman be about the King's Perfon. 
Thefe Articles were read in full Parliament, Ft 

the 2ift, andconfiimed by the King, with the hot 
Aflent ; and full Charge was given lo the chief Offia 
of the Houlliold, there named, to put them in Execi 
lion ; who, that Evening, performed the fame. 

But, for more Satisfaition to the Queen and h 
Daughters, the King, with the Confenl of ihe Lord 
ordained and affigned to the Queen, inftead of the Fi 
reigners, two Knighis, a Damolel, two Chaml 
maids, one Miftrefs, two Efquires, one Nurfe, , 
one Chambermaid for the Queen's Daughters, and 
Mefle. ger to wait on them at certain Times. 

The King's Letters Patents were confirmed by A 
of Parliament, by which a CommitTion was grantc 
that certain Revenues and Cuftoms, there exprfefi' 
and amounting to the Sum of ten thoufand one hun 
dred Pounds, {hould be yearly paid to theTreifurer ( 
his Houfe, fortheExpencesof the Family. In whic 
Grant it appears, that the Profits of xhe Hanaper, i 
Chancery, was then worth only 2000 1. per Annunu 

After fettling the King's Houfhold, in the MannI 
above, the Commons went upon teftoring Peace an 
Unanimiy" amongft the Peers and Great Men of tj 
Land. They return'd his Majefty heany Thanks ft. 
extending his Favour 6) the Earl of Nortbumbirlam 



(/; BnidiB. XITI. The Esg^p adher'd to Smif^ti IX. 
(H,) Thii Queen wa. Jmu of Navarre, Widow of th( Duk* \ 
£r»*pt t But Hmrg had na liTue by her. 




f 0/ E 



ENGLAND. 



8i 



''their RequeA, the King commanded the fiid ^ 
d [he Earl of Wejlmoreknd, in Token of per- 
nity, to kifs each other, in open Parliament, 
and to (hake Hands as often ; a]fo, to promifo 
eir Friends and Tenanis Oiould do the like. 
rls of Norihumberknd ivA Dunbar were like- 
mmanded to perform the fame Ceremony. 
fame Time, at the Requeft of the Commons, 
ig in open Parliament, atBrmed, tJiar the Arch- 
jf Canterbury, the Duke oiTurk, the Earl of 
nberland, and the other Lord.';, who were fuf- 
:o be in ihc Confederacy with i)ir Htnry Ptrcy^ 
1 his true Liegemen ; and that neither ihey nor 
,hcm ftiould ever be impeach'd thereof by the 
sr his Heirs, at any Time hereafter. 
: Matters of a lefs publick Concern, came alfo 
his Parliament. The Commons reported that 
dward III. in a Parliament held in the i iih of 
^, created his eldeft Son Duke of Cornvjal/, 
lexed the faid Duichy to the Crown.with divers , 
aments, by Letters Patents ; and by Authority 
iine never to be difmembered or fold away [n). 
herefore pray the King to refume, feize, andDntchyofCom. 
;ain to the faid Dutchyfuch Lands as were fold '"'i "-■"""'* 
y Prince Edward, Kmg Bjchard, or by him- '° '^^ ^*''* 
hich Petition was anfwer'd in Effect following : 
greed by ihe King and Lords, that the Prince, 
: Advice of his Counfel, fliall have his Scire fa- 
or other his heft Means of Recovery ; wherein 
leallow'd no Protection, or praying in Aid of 
.ing, unlefs it be for Sir 'John Cornwall and £- 
'th his Wife, late Wifeto^oin Holland, late 
)f Huntington ; and for fuch Perfons [o whom 
ling is bound by Warranty j and in Order to 
r the Value, in fuch Cafes, the Prince ihall fue to 
Jng.' There are feveral other Articles relating 
lellitution of this Dutchy which wc IhaU omit, 
he Petition of Juan, Queen of England, the 
ranted, that the faid Queen (hould enjoy, dur-j, 
~LifCi in Lands and Tenements, to the fulltiu^uui. 
n thouland Marks by the Year ; for and in 
F Confideiation . 



il Annul* 




^m 



81 7/}e Tartinmentary History 



Kii«H(B;tv.Conrt<)eraiion of her Dower, accordingas other Quel j 
of England had done. * 



Upon the, Peiiiion of Edward Duke of Yerk{\ 

touching 1000 i. n Year, granted by RickariM. ^g 
him, and his Heirs Male, the King granted to frAui , 
ttie laid Duke 400 1, out of the Culloms of Bigi , 
upon Wu//, and i 89 /. 6 i, 8 d. out of the Culloiu ■ 
London, as Parcel of ihc faid 1000/. to him and! 
Heirs lawfully begotten. ^ 

John Earl of Sunorfii, Captain of Calais, and of I - 
Matfhes thereof, declared, that whereas by Indenn ^ 
between the King and him, he ftood bound 10 kB : 
the Town and Caftte aforelaid, taking therefore, li - 
himfelf and bis Soldiers, in Time of Peace or Tru -, 
6301 /. 1 1 1. 8i. and in Time of War 10,509^61.! l 
whereof he was unpaid 11,413/. t2i. 41/. be ihS j 
fore for Want of this is much ftrcighien'd, andpnjt 
due Payment for the future. By this the Readerai ^ 
fee how much Money it coil the Government, ^ 
thofe Days, to keep that important Forlrels in Fofei ^ 
on. r 

On the Petition of Joan, late Wife to Ihmst £l j 
of AVw, to have icoo/. a Year during her Lifc,fl , 
of the Hereditaments of the faid 'Thomas, the King,,t ■ 
the Cotifcnt of Edmund E^x) of Kent, Brother tod ] 
faid Tkonias, granted ro the faid yoan, during LH j 
certain iVIannora and Hereditaments, there named, < ^ 
the Value of 300 Marks over and above her JointiP g 
for the which ihe faid Jean releas'd to the faid Eit^ 1 
all her Dower, 3 

The Sheriff of ^//unrf having return'd one With j 
Sheriff fiii'd for Ondeby, for Kniglit of the fame Shire, and not Tkti^ 
■ &irt RetutQ. ' delhorpe, who was chofen, he was commanded lo 
amend the fame Return, by returning Thomas ThrpH 
and fanher was committed to the Fleet, and to tiwi 
and Ranlbm, al the King's Pleafurc. 

The Petitions of the Commons occur next, Inlh* 
Conclufion of this Parliament, but are no ways to oul 
Purjmfe, 



L. 



(«! This Ehike WW Sou to the old Doke Edm»J, -who died s Yen I 



0/ E N G L A N D. 



83 



is obfervablc that not one Tax or Subfidy appears King Henry IV. 
he Record, to have been either asked or granted by 
King or Parliament, at this Seffion. But a Cotem- 
ry Hiftorian has afligned a Reafon for this Omiffi- 

by telling us, that the Record of the Subfidy, 
zh he fays, was new and very pernicious to the 
ntry, was ordered to be .burned by thofe that 
ited it (o). This Tax is faid, by fome, to be twen- The Record of « 
hillings of every Knight's Fee, and twenty Pence ^"^^J^^/^J^J* *^ 
very one that had twenty Pounds Lands a Year, Parliament that 
one Shilling In the Pound for Money or Goods, r«nt«^ '^^* 
ib upwards according to that Rate {p). If this be 
, it was a heavy Tax indeed, and it is more than 
Mible, that it was fomewhat extraordinary, fince 

Parliament took fuch Care that it fhould not be 
trn into Confequence, by dcftroylng the Evidences 
. But, in vain are Precautions taken, fays a late 
roriaa, to bury in Oblivion fuch Sorts of Precedents, 
ch Princes, upon Occafion, too frequently call to 
nembrance (q). The Records, however, prove 
Thing remarkable, that in the Statutes at Large^ 
►• xy. 5 th Henry IV. the Aft for a general Pardon, 
e, differs from the Record, in Eftedt, as wanting 
fignificant Word, Treaforiy aslikewife in Form (r). 
n the fame Year of this King, new Writs were if- 
l out, direfted as.ufual, for a Parliament to meet at 
entry f on the Third of December ; tho* there is no 
:ount of any Proceedings at it on Record. But in 
next Year, other Writs came out for fummoning 
ther Parliament to meet at the fame Place, dated at 
hfieldj Juguji zSy and returnable the 6th of O^o^ 

F2 ber ■ 

I Tbo, ffalfingbam. His Words are thefe ; Coneejfores iffi tt At» 
I diSti TCaUapif in ferpetuum Latere Pofteros voiuerunt ; nempe fub 
ntum Conditione coneedebatur, tie traheretur pelhriut in Exemplum, 
Tvarentur ejus Evidentia in tbefauraria Regia nee in Scaccario, fed 
fura vei Reeordationes ejufdem, frotinuipoft datum Ccmpotum crma* 
r. Hift. Ang. />. 369, 370. Stowc*s Chron, p^ 330, 

) HolUngfi}ead^sOiion* 524. Daniel in Kennet, 289* 
J Rapin, Fol. Edit. 495. 

; In the Statutes at Large, 5th Hen, IV. Cap. vi. is the A€t (or . 
I a Penalty on any who make an Affault on any Servant belonging 
Cnight of aShire^ atttoding tho PiurHaiiKnt, which is the fofiJB 
H'vUegt we hare net with. 



1 



84 The ^Parliamentary History 

KniHenrylV. Jfr (j). Being all met in the Great Chamber within thtt 
Priory of Coventry, which was appointed and orna- 
Anno Reeni 6 i"e"ts<l '^o>' 'f'^t Pufpofe, Henry Beaufort, then Bilhop 
i+oj ' of Linioln, and Lord Chancellor, the King's Brother, 
AtCoventrj. jn the Prcrence of the Three Eftates of the Realm, de- 
clared the Caufe of the Summons, in the ufiial Pre- 
amble ; for Holy Church, Corporations, and Perfons 
"enjoying their Liberties ; and then g,ave out thb ■ 
Text, Rex vocavit Smores Terra, on which he learn- 
edly ?.rgued, 

* That for the Safety of the Realm, both within and",, 

* without, and particularly, for reprefling the /^/rj 

* Rebels ; for refitting their Enemies in France and 
' Brilai'iy, who were daily getting Reinforcements, 
' in otder to invade the Nation, and to lubvert the 
' State ; for the due Obfcrvation of the Peace and 

* Adminiftration of Juftice, ihe_ King had called the 

* Wife Men of the Realm to be by them advifed for 
' the belt. That the laft Parliament had not pro- 
' vided a fufficienl Force for fubduing the Welch, nei- 

* ther was there a Competency granted for the Perfor- 
' mance of fuch great Exploits ; and becaufe the,^ 

* French had determined to make War upon Eiglandt 

* and had then aftually invaded Gusinne, they could'' 

* not wonder at the fudden Calling of this Parliament, 

* fince they ought fpeedily to determine for the avoid- 
' ingof ihefe fo great Mifchiefs and imminent Dan- 

' * gers.' He then urged the Commons to chufe a' 
Speaker, and prefent him the next Day to the 
King. 
l'tu™4''cWM "^^^^ urgent Demand was as fpeedily complied with 
Spakw, by the Commons ; for the next Day having prefentei ' 

Sir William Slurmey for their Speaker, the verv I^f 
after, O£lober s, they, with the Aflent of ihe'Lorrfa,, 
granted the King two Tenths and two Fiftetnihiy alfo#j 



(i) This Vear miMhn Infurreflion ws! rufed ipinft Winry, of id 
tlis Arch bj (hop of ror*, Richbrd Scrnfe, the Earl 0/ Nertbm ' 
Tbomu M^iroy, E.rl MiiOial, wtre tht Prncirall. Th« 
iMntioned before, [JmP. 73-j "-f re «£»m teKwci apinft J/eei-v, 
publtckly fuM on the Cbureh [loots in the CLtj of Turk. »— ' 
Stiataicm Died by the EaiJ of W^aordomd, ihc Kiig 
the Arcbbilhop and Earl weie tibcn and beheaded, whillt [he Ew 
linrtbumbcrlarJ fijuad M"a! to flj (QCa Scaiknd, 



0/ E N G L A N D. 8j 

be Subfidy oa Wools, Wool-fells, and Skins ; that is, kuh Hcmy IV. 

f every Denizen, for each Sack of ^ool 43 s. 4 rf. 

It every 240 Wool-fcls the like Sum, and for every 

ift. of Skins Five Pounds : Of Aliens 10 x. more, to 

ifift for two Years ; Three Shillings on every Tun 

Wine, imported or exported, and Twelvepence in 

t Pound on Merchandize. On Conditioriy that the 

ae fhould be employed, only, towards the Main* 

ance of the Wan, and Etefence of the Realm ; 

1 ^ the Lord Fttrnival^ and Sir John Pelham^ Knights, A Sobfidy fran* 

ri appointed Treafurers of War, who were then **^ 

:>rn to execute their Offices according to the Intcn- 

ti of the Grant. 

Several Biihops and Lords offered to lend certain 

IM of Money, in order to raife Forces for refcuing 

• Lord of Coy tiff y who was then befieged in his 
ftle by the Wekh Rebels ; the King appoitited, by 
nfent of Parliament, that fuch Loans fhould be re- 
el out of the firfl Payments of the Subfidy then 
trted. » 

On the 26th of 05loher the G)mmons came before 

• King and Lords, in full Parliament, and begged Scyenl Gfanti. 
ave to recommend the young Lords John and Vkm-- 

>, two of the King's Sons, fot his Advancement of 
m to honourable Eftates and Livings. They, alfo, 
yed the King to remember the Duke of KrK late 
'vice in Guienne^ and elfewhere, fo as he might be 
d the Arrears due to him. The like Requeft they 
ide for the Earl of Somerfet^ and Sir Thomas B^au" 
^ his Brother. Laftly, They befeeched the King 
refltore to Richard^ Brother to the Duke of Tori,/ 
tain Jewels, to the Value of 4000 /. which were in 
5 Hands of King Richard IL They, likewife, con- 
tred in the Requefl above, for the Refcue of the 
ird of Coytiff. ' 

If what an Ancient and a Cotemporary Hiftorian (t) 
ites be true, there is a great Defedl in the Records 
ating to fome confiderable Tranfaftions which were 
rried on againft the Clergy in this Parliament ; for 
5re is not one Word in Cotton's Abridgtticnt faid a- 

F 3 • bout 

(<) 7^, fFiftfifigham fab hoc Anno. 



8<f 77?^ 'Farl'tamentary History 

Kine Henry IV. ^°'^^ ''■ ^' '* pfofjable, that fince the Defign mifcarricd, 
" the Clergy had Interelt enough to Iceep ic out of ihe 
Rolls, Bui, be that as it will, 'lis agreed that ihe- 
Court had been tampering in the Eledlions this Parlia- 
ment, to get fuch Members returned, as were not over 
favourable lo the Intercft of the Church. An Error in 
Government, iho' made a principal Article againft 
King Richard, yet over-looked in King Henry (a). 
The aforecited Author relates. That the King direifted 
the Sheriffs, in his Writs for eleGing Knighis of the 
Shire, to chufe none that were any way learned in the 
Laws of the Land ; but that they fliould fend fuch to 
this Parli::ment as were wholly ignorant in (he Courle 
of eirher Canon or Civil Law ; which was done {x}. 
From whence this Parliament got the Name of Pariia- 
TheLiynien'i '""'''"" leds^nium, the Jlliteratc or i.flcft;learnin9 
pjrliamcDi. parliament* But it is more probable it was nick- 
named lb, fomeTime after, by the Clergy, on Ac- 
coiint of the Deligns there carried on againft that learn- 
ed Body i for we find that other Authors call it the 

However, our former Authority goes on and writes, 

that when the King firft reprefented to this Parliament, 

^°h°"h*"Rs' '° *^°"ipo'^) his great Want of an extraordinary Aid, 

Trnuuof^tha" the Commons Went in a Body, and, by their Speaker, 

churchtothc addrefled him, lemonliraiing, ' That without bur- 

6h«« of the 4' ihening his People, he might fupply his Occafions 

' by feizing on the Revenues of the Clergy.' They fet 

forth, • That the Clergy poflelTed a 7hird Pari of the 

* Riches of the Realm, and not doing the King emf 

* Perjoual Strvice, it was but juft they fhould contri- 

* bute out of their Revenues, towards the'preffingNe- 

* ctffities of the State : That it was evident, the Riches 

* of the Kccleliafticks made them negligent in their 
' Duty, and the Leflening of their exceflive Incomes 
' would be a double Advantage both to the Church 
' and State. 

The King received this Addre6 in a Manner as 
fhewed 

(11) DeaidiaK^nB, P. iqo. Rapi«, Fol. Edit. P. 495, 496. 

M Dinxi, pp Brtvia Fti^a^mmliu-, m qaoj^uem t Comliariia tllp. 
r«t jniKifm,J„ Milita, ju, in Jute Regni, vd Dofti fuilTent vel Ap> 
prentidi i (ai tela mnini mittmiiir ad Sk Nfgaium, qua tenJUra ig- 
'"*" aJHfjaiJi.n, Mitbadam ifaBimqui ita 7jt. WalGngtanij p. 37), 

{f) Stnm'i Cbrsn, p. 3J0. Sfad, p. 613. 



)m 



^^fcpB?^ 



O/- E N G L A N D. 



87 



that it was not difagreeable to him ; ^nd ii is la— Htaty nf. ' 



(x.) WalfiKghcm f.y5. itwt ihis Spesl 
who hating, M 'tvtjs fjid, uken tseai 
Chinfler, iml [utnrd Suldier, P. 37I, 
nllcd Sii mtliaa Siurmij. 



Due by the Rccoid he if 



. ^^^ ^tilikely that it was he who, covertly, ..« .,,■. 

*^« Mover of il. The Archbifliop of Canterbury be- 

eprefent, thought it his Duty to fpeak on an Occa- 

"3 where his own and the Iniereft of the wholewhichiiopfrnft* 

' was concerned. He reptefcnied to the King, by theAnhbi- 

iThat iho' ihe Ecdefiafticfcs ferved him not in Per- *"? of Cuiwt. ■ 

■/on, it could not bs inferred that they were urfer- "''" 

■Ticeable, iince they fent into the Field their Vaflals 

land Tenants whenever there was Occafion, That 

[he ftripping the Clergy of their Eftaies, would put 

B Stop 10 their Prajers, Night and Day, for the 

l^eHare of the State ; and there was no expefling 

God's Pro;eftion of the Kingdom, if the Prayers of 

be Church were fo little valued.' Upon this, the 

Baker of the Commons feemed to fmile, and fatd 

tnly, ' That he thought the Prayers of the Church 

\ very flendcr Supply fzj.' To which the Atchbi- 

Sp anfwered, with fome Emotion, * That if the 

Prayers of the Church were lb flighted, and that 

ther ConfideraCions were not capable of fupprefllng 

ic Plots againft the Clergy, it would be found diffi- 

Mlt to deprive them of their Eftates without expo- 

ofiQg the Kingdom to great Danger; and, fo long 

• he Was Archbifhop of Canterbury-, he would op- 

lofe this Injuftice to the utmoft of his Power.' Then> 

Idenly, hlling on his Knees before the King, ' he 

Irongly ptefled him in Point of Confcience, and cn- 

leavoured to make him fenlible, that, of all the 

^imes a Prince could commit, ncme was fo heinous 

& an Invafion of the Church's Patrimony.' 

fcWhether Henry was moved with the Archbifhop's 

eech, or that he fotefiw theflrong Oppofition the 

rgy would make, and thai iic could not, without 

iat Difficulty, accomplifli his Defipin, he fuddenly 

uiged his Purpofe, and refolved to delift from it. He 

Ifwered the Archbifhop, ' That, though he blamed 

Hot his Zeal, he could nut help faying, that his 

' Fears were grouudlefs ; for v/hen he mounted the 

F 4 ' Throncj 



88 7 he Tarliamentary HrsTOR 

' Thronf, he made a firm Rclblulion fo fup 
' Church with all his Power, and hoped b 

* Afliftance to leave her in a better State 

* found her.' The ArchbiOiop, encouraged 
Anfwer, turned to the Commons, and fp(Xe 
in a Manner not very proper to gain iheir G 
telling them their E>emand was built who!! 
religion and Avarice- * You, fays he, and I 

* as yo'J, have advifed both our Lord the Kir 

* Prcdeccflbrs, to confifcate the Goods and 1 

* the Alien Priories and Religious Houfes, on 

* he fliould gain great Riches by it, as, inde 

* Were worth many ThoufanJs. Notwithfta: 

* is mod true, that the King is not Half a B 

* richer for them all j for you have cxtoriei 
' leaft, begged them out of his Hands, and hat 

* priaicd the faid Goods to youi own Ufcs. 

* may well be conjectured that your Requeft 

* our Temporalities, proceeds not fo muct 

* King's Profit, as for your own Coveloufnel 
' without Doiibt, if the King, as God forbid 
' fulfil your wicked Purpofe, he would noi 
' Farthing the richer for it, at the Year's End 

* verily, adds he, I will fooner have my Heat 

* than that the Church ihould be deprived of 

* Right pertaining to it. 

The Commons made no Reply to this fe 
primand, but when they came back to the; 
. ^;_ they refolvcd lo perfift in their Petition, and 
in a Bill to feize the Clergy's Revenues. Bi 
was no Probability of fucceeding in their Pro- 
Solicitations of the Archbifhop, and the reft of 
lates, weie fo prevalent wiih the Lords, I 
threw out the Bill ; and fo the Commons w( 
to find other Means to fupply the King's Occa 



0/ E N G L A N D. Sj 

1315 as pertained to the Crown in the 40lh Year of King Heiuj iv, 

ng Ed-txard III. and have been fmce by any Means 

tnted, be refumed in;o the King's Hands for ever ; 

»vided that all Towns (hall enjoy ibcir Libenies, 

cept alfo the Lands of fuch as were forejudged in 

5 -Li^o^ RkhoTdW. and fold away- Petitions of the 

Pet. That all Tuns and Pipes of Wines granted to Comnwni. 

y Perfon by the King, or any of bis Prt^nitors, 

alCo refumed. 

Pet. That the Queen may be endowed of all fuch 
Breditamenis as Anne the late Queen was. In whofe 
ands foever the fame be, and by what Grant foever. 
Pet. That all Grants of King Edward ill. or any 

his Progenitors, and before the laid 40th Year, may 

confirmed by Parliament, 

Pet. Thai no Man be rcftraincd of any Warrant 
anted to build any Caftle, or Caflet, or to indole 
ly Park. 

jitijwer. The King will execute their Requefts, as 
r forth, as by ihe Law, and his Prerogative he may 
>, and for that the Lands of the Crown in the 40th 
Ksr of Edivard III, were not certainly known : He 
oiild appoint certain Commiflioners to enquire, and 
tccule the fame. 

'Tis enafted, that Proclamation be made, that all 
ich as have any Patents granted fince ihe 40th Year 
F Edward IIL of any annual Value for Life, or 
"ears, do, on Pain of forfeiting the fame, bring ihem 
I by a Day there prefcribed, 10 the End that fuch as 
sferve the fame, may have Continuance, and the reft 
;voked. 

Upon the Peiition of Henry Prince of ffales it was 
naiSed by the Lords, that the faid Prince fhould have 
lie Payment made of One Thoufand Marks granted 
1 him for the keeping of certain Men at Arms for 
le Defence of Pfa/ts. 

On Ihe iaft Day of this Patliametit, the Commons 
rayed. That the Money borrowed for faving of the 
lotiour of the Lord Jahn, the King's Son, and the 
ftate of the Realm may be anfweied : That the King 
ould confider the painful Service of the Duke of loriy 
htlft he was the King's Lieutenant of Guienne, and 

X. he may be paid what to him is due j and alfo to 
remember 



^0 Hie 'Parliamentary HisTo 

Iti«(H«t7lv. rtmtm^Ai^vThomai Brpiniham{b), %\rThm. 
Jan, Jsbn S'orthbury, and other valiant Kni 
Efquires, who adventured themfelves with t 
at his coming into the Kingdom. Likewife, 
Stpngcr born be & Ciiftomer, or the like Oflice 
emoy any Benefice within the Realm. And, 
Mcmben of ihe Commons Houfc be CoIleiSlor 
lidics. The King's Anfwer to the Four Firll, t; 
iling will be adviffd : And to the Laft, /; Ji 
in the Reign e/Edward III. Laftfy, At the 
of the Commons, the King remitted Six Shill 
Eightpencc of every Sack of Wool, and tbi 
other Staple Commodities of the Grant madi 
4th Year of T^ntj IV. by Rcafon that fo mi 
mif-entered in the Roll. 

There were feveral other Petitions and Ani'w 
\cfs Affairs, which, being read, the Ghana 
the King's Command, relumed his Majefty's 
to them all, and dillbtved this Parliament. 
In the feventh Year of this King's Reign (e 
AnnoR^iT. were ifllied, dated tid December, for a Parlia 
At wtfUnaw. t"*^^ ^^ Coventry on the 15th of February ; bi 
lA of January, Writs were iflued for their M 
Ghiice/ler on the Day fitft appointed ; And ot 
of February, Writs were a third Time ilTiicd 
afTembling at Wcfminjier on Monday in the fit 
of Lent, or March the firft that Ye:ir. Being 
at Wejiminfter, according to the laft Prorog: 
the Painted Chamber of the King's Palace the 
mm dt Langley, Clerk, then Lord Chancellor, 
the Caufe of the Summons, and after making 1 
Declaration about the Liberties of Holy Chur 
he took for his Subjeift ihefe Words, Multomi 
Sa requiranlur in wagnh ; and (aid, ^ 



0/ ENGLAND. ^i 

Siat in the weighty Affairs relative to the good King Htnij rr. 
ftntnenc of ihe Realm, and Safety of the bub- 
f which were annoyed by ihe Rebellion of the 
pS, and likely to be invaded by ihe French and 
k who ceafed not to infeft Guienni and the 
was of Cdlaii ; befides the Troubles raifed by the 
J he had called the fame Parliament, as meaning 
fflow the Counfel of the Wife, faying, Fili nil ^ 

^nfillt facias, et tunc poji Faclum nan pcSnitehit j ^m 

l^ln he purpofed to begin, alfo, with the Example ^| 

tbti/huirus, ^i interrogavit Sapiintu-, et ilhrum ^| 

t/btiebat CetifsUa. In which Confultation, he 
Ued to the King, Lords and Commons, tiiat if 
'would obfetve the Laws of God, they might 
I flfliire themfclres to find Peace at Home, and 
I6iy Abroad.' 

jiReceivers of Petitions being appointed, the next 
U Commons came before the King and Lords, 
(efented Sir John Tibetot for their Speaker, who ^^J J^''JJ^^ 
iJhirafelf on account of his Youth, and other spokcr. 
i; but the King conhrmcd the Eteftiop. The 
ime Day the Commons, with ±e Affent of the 
% and Lords, granted a Sublidy of one Tenth and 
fieenlht to be levied on ihc Laity for one Year ; 
efides, they gave to the King, in other Matters, 
be that was granted in the laft Parliament. 
%(^in makes a fine Flourifli here {d), ' ThiiHetiry 
denied an Aid ofJloney in this Parliament, and 
flatly told there was no vilible Occafion for it : 
A the King was extremely offended at this De- 
i but, however, durft not fliew his Refentment, 
fear of cxafperating them : Mean white, he dc- 
ilan Expedient, which procured him what he 
Ued. This was to keep the Parliament aliembled, 
fbey Ihould, of their own accord, be brought lo 
it his Demand. So, without any frelh Applica- 
\ht continued the Sefiiun, till the End of Augufl, 
i|^ adds he, was very inconvenient lo the Me m- 
I who had Bufinefs at Home, and withal very 
fcfive to the People who were, to bear their 
Jges. Ac length the Commons, impatient of 
* returning 
' (J) Fol. ^Si.t. P. 49!. 



pi The Tarliamentary H i s T o r. r 

King HeflfT^lv. ( returnjng to their Homes, voted him a Subfidy, not 
* without loud Murmurs at the Conllraint laid upon 
' them.' 

Thus, do fome Hiftorians fet off their Labours ol 
glaring Colours and pompous ExprelHon?, in order Iff 
take the Eye, and divert the Ear of iheir Readenl; 
A MMAe of '^^^''^ happens lo be little or no Truth in all this Paradci 
BbRipiD. of Words, which omx Frtnchmatt %\\es us j for ihera, 
was no Demur at all in the Parliament's granting an 
Aid. On the contrary, it was given much fooner than 
ordinary, and in a very unufual way ; being granted on 
the very fame Day the Commons prefented their 
Speaker, or the fecond Day of the Seflion. It is true, 
indeed, this Parliament was continued by Prorogalion 
for a much longer Time than Repin fpeaks of ; hut it 
was not for the Reafon he mentions, but, as it will 
appear in the Sequel, on a quite different Occafion. 

If Welfuigham lead him into this Miftake, as hti 
Marginal Note feems to infer, Cmo;!t Abridgemmt, 
which is alfo quoted in the lame Place, would have fet 
him right again, if he would have taken the Trouble 
to confult it. 

It was not till Afiir:-* 2jd, that the Commons cam 
before the King again, when Sir John Tibttol, the 
Speaker, made the common Proteflation, and requii^ 
a Confirmation of all their Liberties and Privilege! 
and that they might at any Time fend for any of thei 
Bills from the Lords, for Amendment of the fame! 
which was granted. The fame Day the (aid Speafcei 
before the King, made feveral Memm'andumi for goO 
Government, namely, for confirming all iheir LibeP 
ties, for fafe keeping of the Sea, and for providing f« 
the Defence of Guienne, which was in Danger to 1* 
loft. 
Tilt Speater ^n the jd of ApnU the Speaker required of the 
propofri fcrenl King, that the following Reguhtious might be enter'd 
Rffubtion. in on Record, viz. 
tb.GDvemm«t. . ^^^^ f^^ ^g better refifting of the IVekh Rebels, 

* the Prince might refide in JVtihs, and have CufRcienl 

* Power given him, by Commiflion, for that Purpofe.' 
' That no Heritages, conquered from the Welch, bs 

' given a^ay till one Quarter of a Year after.' The 
Kii 



J 



e 



0/ E N G L A N D. 93 

ing anfwered, * That he would not grant any with- Ring Hcmyiv. 
out Advice.* ' 

* That the Time for banifliing all Frenchmen and 
ISretons out of the Realm, be appointed.' It wasan- 
'•cred, * It (hall with all convenient Speed.' 

* That it would pleafe the King to excufe the Com- 
mons, in that it had been reported, they had talked 
of the King's Perfon, otherwife than bcfeemed them, 
which was untrue/ The King anfwered, * He be- 
lieved the lame/ 

Then a Committee of both Houfes was appointed, 
► treat about the Safeguard of the Sea, who agreed 
E>on the Articles following : 

* I. That the Merchants, Mariners, and Owners of 
Englijb Ships, {hall find and provide fufficient and 
able Ships for 2000 Fighting Men, and 1000 Sea- 
men, for a year and a half. To anfwer which Ex- 
pence they mall have allow'd, upon Account, 12 d. 
in the Pound on Merchandize, and 3 /. 5 ^. 
upon evfery Tun of Wine ; with the fourth Part of 
the Subfidy on Wools, Wool- fells, and Skins, grant- 
ed in the lait Parliament ; and that the Merchants, in 
levying the faid Sums, fhould have Warrants under 
the Privy Seal as oft as there was Occafion. 

* II. That the Merchants fhall enjoy all fuch Prizes 
as they ihall take, having due Confideration for the 
King's Captains when he fhall appoint any. 

* III. That if the Royal Navy of the Enemy fhall 
happen to be at Sea, and the King make out againft 
them, then the Merchants aforefaid (hall have one 
Month's Notice to provide. 

* IV. The Merchants aforefaid fhall have reafona- 
ble Warning of any Peace or Truce to be made; af- 
ter which they fhall have due Confideration * for all 
their Charges. 

* V. That the Merchants name two Perfons, one 
for the South and the other for the North, who, by 
Commiffion, fhall have the fame Power as other Ad- 
mirals have had on the like Occafion. 

* Laftly, the Merchants demanded 4000 /. for the 
prefent, but the Anfwer was, the King had it not (e). 

. The 

(0 The King*! Wnt to tbs M^/or and Sheri^ oflondw, with a full 

Acco«n( 



^4 7^^ Tarliamefitary History 

Kilt Hean IV. The fame Day the King, fbrcertain weighty Jwft 
fons, as the Record cxprefl'eih it, adjourned the ^^ 
Pailiamcni, from thai Day, unto the ^indent 
E'lflf, next enfuing, to be holden a: the &id Piace^ 
<-• lyijlminjifr ; and licenfcd the Lords anJ Commoiul 
depart for that Time- 

The Day appointed was the 25lh of jlpril, 

Yeari when, becaufe ihe Archbilhop of" 

with feveral other Bi[hops and Lords, 

come, the Parliament was again adjoui 

. Days more. At the Meeting, the Spoil 

1^ • Commons prayed the King, that, unJerhisl 

W he might be allowed as great a Liberty of Speech, 

any of his Predecefibrs ever had, which was granl 

They then reqiefted tlis King; to appoint certain P 

fons, by Name, to be of his Council ; and that 

Authority of Parliiiment. They required, that Pre 

fion fhould be made for the great Dearth at Coh 

that all Captains beyond the Seas be commanded 

repair fpeedily to their Forts and Ports, as the Earl 

Samerfet was about to go to Calais ; and that Vliih 

Chilatia one of the Admirals for the Sea, might bei 

dered to go thither i all which the King granted. 

Some more private AfTairs next follow in the 

cord, which we chufe to omit. This Parliament 

tinned fitting till the 7th of 7a«, when the fai 

Aft was piiJTed for entailing the Crown of England, wifti 

all the Hereditaments and Rights whalfoever, on thJO 

taUid'byAa'rf Pf^rent King, and the Heirs Malt of his Body, 

Pulument. fully b^olteo- In like manner, it was entailed 

the Prince of Wales^ and, for default of his Ifl'ue, 

the Lords Tbsmas,yohn ^x^A Humphrey fucceflively f/| 

But our Abridger remarks, that the Conveyance ' 

crofled on the Record; and on the Margin of it 

wrote Vacat j yet this Conveyance, he adds, w 

exemplified under the Great Seal, at that Time. 

Wi 

Arooont of thn ApeemEnt of the Mncbints, is in the Fuhlic jtai 
The like Wiiti are diicAid to the Chitf Ofiiccii of all ttie Cicisia 
(TFiC ToHiu is Sngbiul. "tijli Rigc afmd Wcltmantlleriusi /fKi il 
Apiiiii, Fitd. Aig. ^cm.\^\l. V. ^yj. 

Tbece ti anothec InSnunenl in the fdid Public ASt under tki) lldl 
Di Mmraili anjHtuii pir Mmaitris S.r^ laminmo. Ibid, P. 4J9' 

[/) ^f^D cbc chltd Son a omitted, by Miltakt v> Cerfo, 



Cy E N G L A N D. pj 

(Te fhall make no Remarks of our own on this ex- King Henry iv. 
rdinary Aft of Parliament, for fettling the Succef* 
'^ and limiting of it to the Heirs Male only ; though 

have not "met, in the Courfe of thefe Enquiries, 
h an Ad of this Nature. We fhall only fay, that 

Exclulion of the Fe^iales^ from fucceeding, of any 
ic, "whatfoever, was a tacit Difherifon of the 
ufe of Tork ; who, as the Reader will find in the 
|uel, claimedi only, from that Source. 
The Commons required, * That certain Perfons may 
»e appointvd Auditors, to take and examine the Ac** • 

oonts of the Lord Furnivalj and Sir John Pelbam^ 
DadeTreafurers of War in the laft Parliament.* They 
tured alfo, • That three Parts of the Subfidy granted to 
he Merchants for keeping the Sea, be paid to them ; 
md that the fourth fhall only be employed for the 
Ddence of the Realm. That all Aliens may avoid 
lie Kingdom, except thofe that are made Denizens, 
>r Men of the Church, impotent Perfons, or Dutcth- 
n$,n. Th^t all Lands, and other Profits, let out for 
Life, or Years by the King, or his Progenitors, may 
i>e improved to greater Value. Laftly, that all the 
Revenues and Profits of the Realm, granted fince 
the Beginning of the Parliament, may be refumed 
xito {he King's Hands, and referved for the Mainte- 
^nce of his Houfe ; and that ail the exorbitant 
Charges of the Houfhold be fpeedily retrenched.' 
On the 19th of June^ the King, again, adjourned 
is Parliament from that Day to the ^inde'ne of St, 
^chaeU or the 15 th of O^ober following. 
On which Day the Parliament being again aflembled, 
IS farther adjourned for four Days more, to give 
ime for forae Lords and Commons yet to come up,- 
tid it was not till November 17 th, that Sir John Ti- 
tot J Speaker of the Commons, came before the - 

ing, and required a Confirmation of his firft Proteft, 
bich was granted^ And, upon a Motion of the faid 
leaker, the King charged both Lords and Commons, 
1 their Allegiance, that they fhould, particularly, 
iquire concerning any evil Government, and prevent 
for die future. The fame Day the Speaker required 
at the Caftle pf ManS^n^ which was the Key of the 

three 



p6 The Parliamentary H i s T o R T 

( 

-.WUl i 
•hilll 



[ 



■til 



Kjii|H«Nrj IV. ibree Kingdoms, and which wm kept bySirCisri 
it NavarKt a Foreigner, might be kept by EngSfim 
only- ' That all Fines and Ranfoms of the Wili 

* mfi may be employed in thofe Wars, Tbil 

* Prince may be fcnt into IfaUt with all Speed, i 

* fiJering the Rebellion of The Earl of Norihumltl 

* land and others {/). That certain Caftles mighil 

* kept as Hoftages for the Earl of Dcuglaji ; and [h 
' the other Scotch Prifoners (hould not be flighily gii 

* up, confidcting, as they faid, that they Were 

* Flower of all Scotland.' 
In this Scffion of the fame Parliament, the Coavij 

ance or Afl of Settlement, mentioned before, wai H 
pealed, and another Act was made upon it, wbetri) 
the Crown is entailed upon the King and his SoDS,i 
general Tail, iSi. 

Mr Rapin has beftowed a great deal of HiftoriO 
nurfcj^ntW" Learning on the pafling and repealing of the lafl,a 
Settleroeoi. making this new Afl of Settlement -, wherein the At ^ 
gijments;>fD fJ ran, about the Right of Females tc p, 
ceeding lo the Crown of England, is learnedly di/c<* j 
itA(g). We fliall refer our Readers to that Author ftil ij 
the whole of the Arguments on the Queftion, and coo- 
tent ourfelves with making fome Obfervations (lOB 
him, on the Statute before us (h). He fays, ' TW 
' viheT\ HeiryW . mounted the Throne, he pretemtfl 
' to be the next Heir of Richard II, by which li 
' feemed to make no Account of the Earl of Mart^'^ 

* Right, defcended, only, from a Daughter fi). Anl ^j 

* indeed, fuppofing the Invalidity of the Female Righli ^ 

* it could not be denied, but that he was nearer iha ■, 

* the Earl of March, who was fet up againit him- 
' But this pretended Invalidity was a Point not dc 
' cided ; lor the People were generally of OpinioD) 

* that Daughters had a Right to the Succeflion, lined 

* without its being necellary to alledge Examples of 
' • Precedents in their Favour, it was fufficieni that then 

• w» 

(f) TheFicI t>( Narthumlirbii had rcrolCed ggam, but hid M 
tmai to fly, with the Lord Bardelf, into SnilaaJ far Protefl"* 
Being betrayed there, they fled into IfaJa, ini jmaiag wicb Do" 
Cirnimr, title then bfeome formidiblt. 

(f)R-iriN, F>l.EJ. P. 49B. 

(b) Sijiuii at Larfi, An. 7. Hfii. IV. C.;>. a. 

0) See Vol. I. P. 387. ud in tbil Vulvae, P. a. 



( 



< 



< 



0/ E N G L A N D. p; 

J! was no Law to exclude them. Upon this Founda-RiugHeoryir. 
' voa the late Rebellion was railed, as appeared by the 
^ Manifefto the Rebels publifhed. Ic is therefore very ' 
^ likely, that, to remove this Pretence from the Male- 
' ooDteots, Henry would hare had this Point fettled by 
' ai A&, which in excluding the Daughters, and their 
Iflue, feetned to infinuate the reigning King afcend- 

* cd the Throne, purfuant to the cuilomary Laws of 
' the Realm. But this Adt, which, fays our Author^ 

* was extorted the fame way as the Subfidy, lafted but 

* till the End of the Year. The next Parliament, 
' fJHB mjftaking^ for it was all the fame'] made fuch 

* trong Kemonllrances to the King, that he confented 
' ID the Repeal. This Parliament, not fatisfied with 
^kaviog the Right of the Daughters in its former 

r doubtful State, pafied a new aS, whereby the Fe- 
^ males and their Pofterity were eftabiiihed in their na- 
* tond Rights. Our Author concludes with obferving, 
' that the Precaution taken by the King to fecure his 
\ Right in the firll A£t, was extremely prejudicial to his 
\ Pofterity. He thereby gave Occafion for the fecond, 

which ftrcngthened the Title of the Earl of March ; 

and, confequently of the Houfe of Tork^ who became 

He'iB to that Prince/ 

We (hall make no Apology for inferting this long The foresoinf 
Jactation, from an Author of fuch Eminence in Hi- Settlement re- 
lory; and, where he is right in his Points, fliall al-^J^';^^^ 
rays give him his due Praife. A Matter of that great Crowo in Gene* 
lament, as the Succcflion to the Crown of England^ «i TaiL 
wied by Aft of Parliament, muft not be (lightly 
afi'dover, in thefe Enquiries. We fhali, therefore, 
jnre our Readers an Abftratt of the Statute itfelf, as ic 
I publifhed in the ColUclm of Public Acls^ tranilated 
Rxn the Latin X which, with the Names of the Bi- 
Ii0{d, Abbots, and Lords, l^c, who figned the laid 
^d, may ferve to conclude our Account of this extra- 
idinary Proceeding (/). 

HENRY, by the Grace cf G:d, kc. 

It begins with a Recital of the Act made lad Seflion 
f Parliament for fettling the Succeflion on the Male 

G Line, 

B Ymd.jMiUc. Tom, VIII. P, 461, 463, 464. ^ 



j)8 The ^Parliamentary H i s t o rt 

Kiat^'o'T^- Line, only, as atorefaid, Tbcn adds, Nevertbil4,i^ 
cauji the Prilates, Lords, Clergy dad the whtlitm 
muuity o/" England, csnjidn-lng, that the /aid Stem 
by excluding the Female Line^ tso much contraBd HJ 
Right if SueeelTian, ivhich they rather fought to t«laf. 
they undnimoujtf petitioned us, with more than tr£i 
Zeal, Is annul and make void the /aid Statute, andtiM 
an Aa fir /eltiing the Right of Succeffien in Htm, I 
Son, ana Heir, and the refi of my Sons, and their Cbtlini ". 
lawfully begotten, fueceffively. ^- 

tVe, therefore, judging the /aid Rejuefl to be ti^ 
nant to Right, do annul and make void the /aid ftri 
Statute ; and, with the Confcnt and by the Aathsr^ 
the faid Prelates, Lords, &c. in Parliament affemim "^ 
do ordain, eflabli/h, &c. the faid Henry our Ftrji-k. 
Son, our true, lawful, and undoubted Heir, \" 
univer/al Succeffor, to our Crowns and JQngdias 
England and France, and to all our Dominions ht) 
the Sea what/oeiier ; with all their Rights, j^v., 
nances. Privileges, &c. belonging thereto ; and a/tertii j 
fuceeffively, to the Heirs of his Body lawjulfy begotten^ ' 
ever. * 

For Failure of this, in like Manner the Seilleme ' 
ellablinies it on Thomas the King's fecond Son, andl ' 
Heirs, lie. then to John and Humphrey his third a i 
fourth fucceeding. ' 

Provided, That by this Statute or Ordiiuiii(e,i 
intend not to change or alter the SucceJEon to the itlfS ' 
Poffeffmns, Honours and Cufioms, with all other -#i i 
tenances, belonging to the JDufchy of LzacaHer ; batti ■ 
the /aid Rights, &c. may remain as they have been! ■ 
cuftomed, this or any other Statute made in this Fa' 
ment, notwithjlanding. 

In Tefiimony of which not only our Seal, but the 3- ^^ 
of all the Lords Spiritual and Temporal aforejaii,) ' 
ihemfehes, the Clergy and Cemmuniiy a/ere/aid, art t 'T 
to the/e Pre/ents. ' '• 

B I s H o p-8. Nicholas, Biftiop of issJlff 

Thomas, Archbifliop of Henry, oftfinehijler. 

Canterbury, Piimaic of John, of Ely. 
England, T/^omas, of Durham. 

Reitrt 



rof E N G 


LAND. 5^ ^^1 


Bifhopof Chkiejier 


The Prior of Cmnlry ; J^cg ftsntj IV. ^ 


f, of Saii/iury. 


And 


St. David's. 


Wither, Prior of the Hofpi- I 


Cffve/itryiadLiUh 


pital of St. John of Js- xT^ 
rufalem, in England. /S^ , X 




U of Worcefier. 


Dukes. f t • - ^'?\ 


\aiBaih7iQAWelh 


Qtmreford. 


Edmund, Duke of Kri. p. *- -> '. , \ 


3f Lmeln. 


John, of Ss«^r/rf. \* ■' ?^ ' ^ ' 


oi Landnff; and 


'Edmund, oS Kent. \%.. "'/ i 


, of CarliJJe. 


\'*''r \\ 


iiardiaits of the Spi- 


Earls. 


ities belonging to 


Thomai, Earl of Jrundel. 


Archbiflioprick of Richard, oUyarmd. 


and to the Bi 


Edward, of Devatijbire. 


icks of Norivich ant 


Mchael, of S<#»/*. 


^fler. 


Richard, of Oxford; and» . 




ie^/pA, of Wfjimoreland. 


3ABBOT3 of 




»/?«-. 


BaRON3. 




rf?///i7m, Lord Rooi. 


!7. 


Richard, I/)rd Grty of Ca- 


■«iih. 


denore. 


1, in Cikhifler. 


Henry, Lord Beaumont. 


jtttitPs Bury. 


Reginald, Lord Grgi, of 




Ruthyn. 


j's. Tori. 


William, Lord iTrrr/rj. 


i. 


7homas, Lord Furnival. 


y- 


miliam. Lord Willmghby. 


ut, of Hulm. 


Hugh, Lord B«r»f/. 


ury. 


/^///dm, Lord C/iph(ot. 


ury. 


Thomas, Lord Morley. 




'hhn. Lord Ddrtey. 
John, Lord LuiW. 






fijrri. Lord Bourghchier, 




Gilbert, Lord 7tf/ii.(. 


hr. 


William, Lord 2m*. 


ir's, Ghcefter. 


Thomas, Lord Cameis. 


I. 


Richard, Lord io-wsar. 




i/^«rj', Lord Fitz- Hugh. 


leaxlV.nibcfltr. 


Henry, Lord SfriJpf, of- 1 


umk. 


Afo^sm. 1 




G 2 y*A«, 1 



KiflgHotfjIV. 



,* 



I oo The Tarliamentary H i sT o n t 

• 

^ohrty Lcrd IFelks. Ralphs Lord Cromwell 

^ohfij Lord Cobham. Ralphs Lord GreyJiocL 

Uter^ Lord Mauley. JVtlliami Lord BergavtfSKj* 

^chfty Lord Latymere. fohn^ Lord Toucbtit, 

\dwardy Lord Ctarltonj Robirt^ Lord Ponyngis. 

of Powys. John 9 Lord Harringtn'i 
Thomas J Lord -D^ /j ^f^r. And, 

Thomas J Lord Berkeley. Richard^ Lord 'Stra^$. 

And by tbe Alfo Sir JpAw 7/^^/(7/, Knight, %tf*/r ^/ /feBjlJ 

Spetker, onBe-of Commons^ in this Parliament, in his own and in the 
haiiPofthe Com- Name of the whole Body, gave his Affent to ail the 
"" aforefaid Articles. Lajily^ The King, with all the rdi 

fwore to keep all the laid Premiffcs inviolably.. 

Dated in this prefent Purliament^ wtbin our Palm 
at Weftminfter, December 2, 'AnnoDom. 1406, intU 
Eighth Tear of our Reign. 

Sir Robert Cotton, or rather his Publifhef , Mr. Prym 
makes the following Remark on the Proceedings of tbe 
Clergy in this Parliament, which we {hall give vtr' 
bat'm. 

« ' At this Time the Clergy luborned Henry Prince 
of PFales^ for and in the Name of the Bifhoi* 
Lords ', and Sir John Tibetote, the Speaker, for 
in the Name of the Commons ; to exhibit a 
and bloody Bill againft certain Men called LoUdrii} 
namely againft thofe that preached or taught any 
Thing againft*the Temporal Livings of the Clergy* 
Other Points touching Lollardy^ I read none ; onlyj 
this is to be marked for their better Expedition in 
this Exploit, they joined Prophecies touching the 
King's Eftate, and fuch as whifpered and bruited 
that King Richard was ftill living ; ^11 which they 
inferred, to the End that by fuch Subtilty they might 
beufer gain their Ends againft the poor Lollards afore- 
faid. Wherein, note a moft unlawful and monftrous 
Tyranny ; for the Rcquelt of the faid Bill was, that 
every Officer, or other Minifter whatfoever, might 
enquire after, or apprehend fuch Lollards, without 
any other CommiiBion, and th^t no San^uary fliouM 
protect them.' 

■ M 



r 



1^ 



0/ E N G L A N D. loi 

- But it will not be amifs to give the Reader an Ab- Kini Henry iv. 
raa of this Bill, which Mr. Fdller, in his Church Hi- 
»ry, fays, he carefully took from the Records in the 
Power. 

?i our moft redoubted and gracious Sovereign^ the 

KING (m). 

YOur humble Son, Hewy I'rince of Tf^ales^ and The Lords Ad- 
the' Lords Spiritual and Temporal in this ]^xt-^^^^ 
fent Parliament, humbFy (hew. That the Church of 
' England hath been, and now is, endow'd with Tem- 
\ ppral Pofleffions, by the Gifts atid Grants, as well 
' of your Royal Progenitors, as by the Anceftors of 

* the &id Lords Temporal, to maintain Divine Ser- 
yice, keep Hofpitality, i^c. to the Honour of God, 
and the SouFs Health of your Progenitors, and the 

* faid Lords Temporal, 

• Yet, now of late, fome, at the In (ligation of the 
Enemy, againft the aforefaid Church and Prelates^ 

* have, as well in public Sermons, as in Conventicles 

* and fecret Places called Schools, ftirr'd and moved 
'" the People of your Kingdom to take away the faid 
\ Temporal Pofleffions from the faid Prelates, with 
' which they are as rightly endow 'd, as it hath been, 
^ or might be,- beft advifed or imagined by the JLaws 
^ and Cnftoms of your Kingdom ; and of whicn they 
^ are as furely poffefs'd, as the Lords Temporal are of 
^ their Inheritances. 

* Wherefore, in cafe that this evil Purpofe be not 

^ refifted by your Roy^l Majefty, it is very likely, ' ^ 

^ that Jn Procefs of Time they will alfo excite the 
^ People of your Kingdom for to take away from the 

* faid Lords Temporal their Pofleffions and Heritages, 

* fb to make them common to the open Commotion 

* of your People. 

. * There be alfo others who publifh, and caufe to be 
^ publiflied, evilly and falfely, among the People of your 

* Kmgdom, That Richard^ late King of England^ (who 
' is gone to God, and en whofe Soul God through 
^ his Grace have Mercy) is ftill alive. And fome 

* have writ and publiflied divers falfe pretended Pro- 

G 3 * pbecib 

(m) V^llkt'^ChurtkHifiory, Bo<iklV. p. 162. 



I oo The Tarliamentary H i sT o r t 

KiflgHouylv. Tjhn^ Lcrd JFelks. Ralphs Lord Cromwell, 

* jobn^ Lord Cobham. Rafpby Lord GrejfiocL 

refer ^ Lord Mauley. If^ltiam, Lord Bergavna^ 

John^ Lord Latymere. John^ Lord Toucbett, 

Edward^ Lord Charlton^ RobM^ Lord Ponynges, 

of Pouys, Jobuy Lord Harrinim\ 
Tbomas^ Lord 2>^ ij /^r. And, 

7homaSj Lord Berkeley. Richard^ Lord Strange* 

Aod bx the Alfo Sir 7(»A« TV^^/tf/, Knight, S^/jiJ/r 1/ /A? ifcjJ 

Spetker, on Be- ^ Cofntnons^ in this Parliament, in his own and in tk 
haifof the Com. Name of the whole Body, gave his Affcnt to ail tte 
"" aforefaid Articles. Laftly^ The King, with all the reJi 

fwore to keep all the laid Premises inviolably.. 

Dated in tbis prefeni ParliamifU^ xmibiu $ur Pakt 
at Weftminfter, December 2, 'AnwDom. 1406, inth 
Eigbth Tear of our Reign. 

Sir Robert Cotton, or rather his Publifher, Mr. PrjOh 
makes the following Remark on the Proceedings of the 
Qergy in this Parliament, which we (hall give vir* 
bat:tn. 

'At this Time the Clergy faborned Henry Prince 
of Wales^ for and in the Name of the Bifhop^ and 
Lords ; and Sir Jobn libetote^ the Speaker, for 
in the Name of the Commons ; to exhibit a 
and bloody Bill againft certain Men called Lolkrb} 
namely againft thofe that preached or taught anf 
Thing againft 'the Temporal Livings of theQcrgy- 
Other Points touching Lollardy^ I read none ; oBly> 
this is to be marked for their better Expedition in 
this Exploit, they joined Prophecies touching the 
King's Lftate, and fuch as whifpered and bruited 
that King Richard was ftill living ; ^11 which thcj 
inferred, to the End that by fuch Subtilty they might 
beuer gain their Ends againft the poor LoUardi afore- 
faid. Wherein, note a moft unlawful and monftrous 
Tyrai)ny ; for the Rcquelt of the faid Bill was, that 
every Officer, or other Minifter whatfoever, migbt 
enquire after, or apprehend fuch Lollards^ without 
any other Commiflion, and lh;it no San^uary fliould 
proiedt them,* 

M 



E 

!: 



ii 



• i 



0/ E N G L A N D. loi 

But it will not be amifs to give the Reader an Ab- Kinj Henry iT. 
ftraa of this Bill, which Mr. Fillkr, in his Church Hi- 
ftory, fays, he carefully took from the Records in the 
Tower. 

?ff our msft redouhted and grechus Ssvireign, the 
KING (m). 
* ■XT'Our humble Eon, Hmy t'rince of /fo/w, and Th= ^■'^^ ^^- 
' X the" Lords Spiritual and Temporal in this pre- J^Yj^J,""* ' 



* feni Parliament, humbry (hew, That the Church of 

* Englm^d hath been, and now is, endow'd with Tem- 

* poral PoflelTions, bj' tire Gifts atid Grants, as well 

* of your Royal Progenitors, as by the Ancellors of 
' the fnid Lords Temporal, to maintain Divine Ser- 
' vice, keep Hofpitaliiy, Ufc, to the Honour of God, 
' ar.d the Soul's Health of your Progenitois, and the 

* faid Lords Temporal. 

' Yet, now of late, fome, at the Inftigation of the 
' Enemy, againft the aforefaid Church and Prelates, 
' have, as well in public Sermons, as in Conrenticles 

* and fecrel Places called Schools, ftirr'd afld moved 
' the People of your Kingdom to take away the faid 
' Temporal Poileifions from the fald Prelates, wilb 
' which they are as rightly endow'd, as it hiith been, 
' or might be, heft advifed or imagined by the J^aws 
' and Cn(l:oms of yo'.jr Kingdom ; and of which ihey 

* are as furely poflels'd, as the Lords Temporal are of 

* their Inheritances. 

* Wherefore, in cafe that this evil Purpofe be not 

* refilled by your Royal Majefty, it is very likely, 
' that in Procels of Time they will alio excite the 

* People of your Kingdom for toi take away from the 

* laid Lords Temporal their PofleiTions and Heritages, 

* fo to make them common to the open Commotion 

* of your People. 

* There be alfo others who publifh, and caufe to be 

* publifhed, evilly and felfcly, among the People of your 

* Kingdom, Thatii/Vteri,!ate Kingof £n^fcnii,(who 
' is gone to God, and on whofe Soul God through 

* his Grace have Mercy) is ftill alive. And fomc 

* have writ and publifhed divers falfc pretended Pro- 

G 3 ' phecics 



loa The Parliamentary Histort 

Kins Henry IV. ' phec'ies to the People ; diftutbing them who would, 
' lo their Power, live peaceably, ferve God, and faiih- 
' fully fubmil and <jbey yon their Liege Lord. 

* Wherefore, may it pkafe your Royal Majefty, in 

* Maintenance of the Honour of God, Confervaticn 

* of the Laws of Holy Church, as alfo in Prefervation 

* of you, your Children, and the Lords aforefaid, and 

* for the Quiet of all your Kingdom, to ordain by a 

■ ' Statute in the prefent Parliament, by the AiTent of 

* the Lords aforefaid, and ihoCommons of yourKing- 

* dom. That in cafe any Man or Woman, of what 

* Eftate or Condition they be, preach, publifti. or main- 
' lain, hold, ufe, or exercife, any Schools ; ifanySeft 

* or Doflrine hereafter againft the Catholick Faith, 
' either preach, publiih, maintain, or write aSchedule, 

* whereby the People may be moved to take away the- 

* Temporal PoffeOions of the aforefaid Prelates ; or 

* preach and publifti. That Richard late King, who is 
-*' dead, fliould ftill be in full Life ; or that the Faol in 

* Scotbnd, is that King. Richard who is dead ; or that 
' publidi or write any pretended Prophecies to the Com- 

* motion of your People ; 

* That they, and every of them, be taken, and put 
1 in Prifon, without being deliver'd in Bail, or other-' 
' wife, except by good and fufficient Mainprize, lo bd 

* taken before the Chancellor of " ' 



At the Petition of Themns Lord Furnivd, and Sir 
yshn Pelham Knight, Treafurers of War as aforefaid, 
it was agreed, that certain Auditors afligned in this Par-. 
liament to t^ke their Accounts, fliould make due Al-' 
lowance to them ; and that they, their Heirs and Land- 
Tenants, fhould be clearly difcharged from the faid 
Account. < 

The Speaker of the Houfe of Commons came again 
before the King and Lords, and required, in the Name 
of that Bady, that all the Lords of Council might be 
fworn to obferve cenain Articles, which they had 
drawn up, for the better Regulation of the pubiicfc Af-i- 
fairs of^ tile Kingdom. The Arclibifhop o^ Canterbury , 
for himfelf and otheis, tefufed to fwear to them, but 
eSered to do what they could towards their Obfervance. ' 
Upon 




0/ E N G L A N D. 103 

pon this the King charged the faid Archbifliop, wiihKioi HtBrylv, 
e reft, on their Allegiance, to take the Oath, which 
'Cordingiy they did ; and funher, the King caufed all 
«,Ofliceia of his Houfliold, and of all his Courts of 
Utice, to be fworn to fulfil the Aid Oath. The Ar- 
ties were thefe : 

• I. That worthy Councellors and Officers be ap- Articles far the 
pointed, and not to be reir.oved without gr-nd Pfool^Jfijc!,"™ "It 
of their ill ManageniEnt. II. That no due Gi-ar.tu bep„fa„tj i^ [tt 
flayed at the Great or P/ivy Seal. III. That nonesprafer, .nd 
about the King's Perfon do purfue any Suit or Ql'='^' ^?-,'^w[,^ 
rel, by arty other Means ihan 1^ Order of ihe Oun- 
tnon Law. IV, That no Officer be appointed by 
any Mediation contrary to the Laws. V. That ^ 
Order be taken for the Governance of the King's 
Houle, Chamber and Wardrobe. VI. That the Re- 
venues and Profits of the Crown and Realm be em- 
ployed towards the Chi^r^cs next aforelaicJ. VII. 
That no Perfon, under a Penalty, do receive, or take 
by way of Gift any of the Profits aforefaid VIII. 
That two certain Days in the Week be appointed for 
all Suitors to exhibit their Petitions to the King 5 and 
that fome Perfoni may be, alfo, appointed to receive 
and give Anfwers to the fame. IX. That no Man, 
■whatfoevcr, do prefer any Bill or Suit to the King on 
any other Days. X. That none of the Council hold 
Pleaa of any Matter determinable at Common Law. 
XL That all Statutes touching Buyers and Purvey- 
ors may be executed, XII. That no one of the 
King's Councii (hall give Encouragement to any 
Suitor, before Determination had in full Council. 
XIII. That no Matters of Council may bedifpatched, 
but by full Allent, unlefs the fame require great 
hafte; in which Cafes Word Ihall be fent to fuch 
Counfcllors as areabfent, to the End that their Advice 
may be known. The XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, 
XVni, and XIX Articles, ordain, That rone of 
Ihe King's higher Officers, or other Under -Oflicers, 
or Clerks, of any of his Courts, or of his Houfhold, 
{hall take any but their accuftomed Fees, or .appoint 
any Minirter under them lo do the fame. XX. 
That the Qiieen do pay for bet Journey to the 
G 4 ' Kh:^'s 



King Henry IV. 



1 04 The Tarliamentary History 

King's Houfes, as Queen Philippa lately did. XXl 
That none of the Officers of the Marjhalfea*s of thii 
King's Honfe, or Clerk of the Market, do hold zv^ 
Plea otherwife than in the Time o^ Edward the'FkflB 
XXIi. That all the Sheriffs before the.Eledliori d 
Knights of the Shire, fhall by open Proclamation il 
their feveral Counties, give fifteen Days Refpite to 
the Time and Place. XXIIl. That all the Kin^f 
great Officers of every Court, and of his Houfliofd^ 
fliall maintain the Common Laws. XXlV. That 
all Foreigners who are not Deni^ns do make Fir^ 
by la Day, with the King. XX V. That the Ste^- 
ward of the King's Houfe, with the Treafurer, hvrt 
full Power to difcbarge* the Serjeant? and other Offi- 
cers, for .their Mifdemeanors. XX VL That the 
faid Officers, and Chamberlain of the Houfliold,"da 
execute their Trulls according to the Statutes of the 
^King's Houfe. XXVII. That no Judicial Officer, 
or other Minifter within the King's Houfe, or in any 
of his Courts, enjoy any of the faid Offices, but at 
Will. XXVIIl. That all the Chief Officers of tho 
King's Houfe and Courts, do make, yearly, ftrift 
inquiries of all Mifdemeanors. and.^Mlfprifions done 
under them, and make-Beport tfiereof to t^e King's 
Council. XXIX. Tfiat the Array of the fpecial 
Affize challenged, be tryed, at large, as in general 
Affizes ; and that the. Sheriff do take nothing for 
any Pannel between Party and Party.. Laftly, That 
all the Articles, aforefaid, fhall only continue t^) 
the End of the next Parliament.' , 

.Whoever confiders well the foregoing Articles, deli- 
ver'd hff the Speaker, will find that there is fcarce a 
trifling one amongft them ; which evidently fliews. 
That the Commons of England were neither Fools nor 
Knaves in thofe Days. Nor was the King lefs obli- 
ging and condefcending, on his Parr, than the Com- 
mons had been refolute and prefumptive on theirs ; 
not only fuffering the iliid Articles, which flruck fu'ffici- 
enily at his Prerogative, to pafs into a Law, though 
but a temporary one ; but alio, compelling the Arch- 
bifhop with the reft of the Council, ^c. to fwear to 

the 



0/^ ENGLAND. lo^ 

5 Obfenrance of them. Which alfo, demonftrates King Henry iv, 
M, whatever indireft Steps Henry took to acquire the 
tadem, he, was refolved to keep it ; and is a ftrong 
•ftlince that the beft Laws for the Subjeft, have 
en often gained under the weakeft Titles of our 
Si^gs. 

.Rapin remarks, that as the King's Defign in this Par- Aa relating t% 
Unent was to demand Money, he readily gave his County-Elcc* 
ficnt to fecure the Freedom of Eledions ; by which, ^^"^^ 
Ids he, it is evident that tlie King had done fomething 
I the Eleftioris for the laft Parliament, tending to 
bridge the Liberty of Voting (n). This Aft is ftill ex- 
ilit in our Statutc-Eooks, by which it was enafted, • 
-That at the next County-Court after the Delivery 
of the Writ of Parliament, all there prefent, as well 
Suitors fumtnoned for the fame Caufe, as others, fliall 
attend to theEledlionof^the Knights for the Parlia- 
liament, and in the full County they fhall proceed to 
Eledion freely and indifferently, notwithflanding any 
Requeft or Commandment to the contrary. And, af- 
ter they are chofen, their Names ihall be written in 
an Indenture, under the Seals of all ihofe that did 
chufe them', and tack'd to the Writ of Parliament j 
which Indenture (hall be holden for the Sheriff's Re- 
turn of the laid Writ (o).* This Method feems, with 
)me little Variation, to be the Manner of chufing at 
lis Time. 

There are many more Petitions, Anfwcrs, ^c. In 
le Jbridger*s Account of the Proceedings of this Par- 
ament, which, becaufe they are on lefler Affairs, 
r private Property, are omitted. It is obfervabte 
owever, how an^cious the Commons were that all thefe 
latters ftiould be carefully recorded ; for at their own 
equeft it was enafted, that certain Members of their 
[oufe fhould be prefent at the epgrofling the Roll of . 
lis Parliament. 

The King, to fhew his Generofity and Gratitude to Ample Grants 
r John Tibetoty the young Speaker of the Houfe of "ladc by the 
ommons, granted to him, in Fee, all the Lands 3nd^J|^^*^^j[J<^^ 
[ereditaments of Richard op Griffith ap Voethus, in the Speaker) 

Counties 

(«; Rapin, Fol. Edit. P. 498. 

\p) Statutes at lage, Ao. 7. Hen* IV. Cap, xr.* , 



• 



mult be allowed a truly Koyal l>onauon (p;. 

Mr Prynne makes an Obfervation again at tl 
of this laft Seflion of Parliament, to this I 

* That the Commons young Speaker took moi 
^ him, and fpoke more boldly and fervently 
^ King and Lords, than any Speaker had done 

* him. Which Innovation, beginning" to gr 

* Faihion, the King and Lords thought prope; 

* fucceeding Parliament, to put a Check upc 

* Novelty inconfirtent with the King's Prerc 

* That the Speakers afterwards, became more i 

* and did not fay any Thing that was difpleafinj 

* King 5 or, if they cafually did, to pray that i 
*' be imputedy only^ to their Ignorance^ and not i 

* Qojnmotts,* It is further remarkable, that this 
longed Parliament we have yet met with ; fc 
it b not exprefly faid when it was diflblved, 
may well fuppofe, by the three Prorogations, 
continued near a Year ; which was an Innovai 
the ancient Conftitution, taken Notice of by 
Hiftorlans as a great Blot in this Reign. HoUin 
in particular, fays, that the long Continuance 
Parliament was a great Lois and Damage to the 
monalty ; for the Expences of th'jir Reprefei 
was, almoft, equal, in Value, to the Sum that \ 
manded for the Subfidy {q). 

On the 20th of OSfober^ in the fucceeding 



0/ E N G L A N D. 107 

ther Parliament met, by Summons, at GkceJ}er ; yyng Hearj iv. 

, upon calling over the HouTe of Commons, Icveral 

fauhers being found, it was pu[ qfF for four Days 

>pr. On that D^y the Arciibiftiop of Canterbury, ^^^ R,g^_ j. 

\ndelt ftill Lord Chancellor, opened the Seflion and 1407.' 

Caufe of the Meeting, with a Speech, and took *' c'""''**''- 

Text for his Snbjedt, Regem honsiificate. 
!ti which, he endeavoured to prove, ' That for ^hree 
fpecial Caufes the King ought to be honoured. 
■/(J?, For that the King, by maintaining the Liber- 
f of Holy Church, honoured God, and therefore 
Ught himfeif to be honoured. Secondly, He ought 
s be honoured for his great Care towards his Sub- 
ifts, as well in the Oblervation of the Laws, as in 
is Defenceof them againit Foreign Enemies. And, 
"hirdly, Bscaufe that, ever fince his Coronation, he 
lad ihewn Favour and Pardon to all that afked 
fiem. And added, that, as in Neceffiiy, every 
*4ember of Man's Body would feek Comfort from 
he Head, as the Chief ; fo he applied it to the ho- 
louring of the King, who was the Head of the Con- 
:iturion. He defired the Houfc of Commons to 
:hoofc a Speaker that Afternoon, and prefent him the 
lexi Day to the King ; and ialljy, he required them 
■J] to confider on proper Means to end the Rebcili- 
« in Wdfc ; to lake Care for the fafe guarding of 
be Sea; for defending of Gaietine, Calais, and /«- 
7nd, and the Norihetn Marches, and how by their 
Vid ihe fame might be beft accompliihed.' 
The Chancellor having finifhed his Harangue, thesirThoma-r 
::eivers and Triers of Petitions were conftiiuted ; and chauccr diofrn 

next-Day the Commons prelented Sir Thomas Chau- spnk". 
fr), for their Speaker, who, after Excufe for him- 
' and Confirmaiion, made the common Protcllation, 
lich was granted. 

3ii the gth of November the Commons came again 
ore Che King, where the faid Speaker repeated his for- 
r Proteftation, and began to rehearfc the Grant of the 

Subfidies, and the-Oatlis of the Lords, and others, 

the Difpo&tion of Ihe fame. But the Chancellor 

erupted him, and faid, that no. Accounts were yet 

made 

11 Englijh Port, Cttffrjj Cteueer, Si:vi', P. J16. 



1 08 The T ar liame fit ary His r OK J 

King Henry IV. ^^^^ for the Dilburfements of the fame to the O 
mons ; and that the Lords, having little Thinks 
the laft, would by no Means take the like Oath 
gain J which the King, at his RequefVt excufed tt 
from (j). Then the faid Speaker made great Cc 
plaints againft Purveyors ; to which the Steward 
Treafurer of the King's Houfe anfwered, ' That 
*. fame fliould be remedied*. 
His Complaint of November 14, Upon the Coming of the Comm 
OHcYs£ncc$, before the King and Lords, the Speaker told them 
the great Difadvantage the Nation fuffrred by 
guarding the Sea ; and that ihcffe who had Lands 
the Marches of l^Faks never dwelled thereon ; of wh 
he defired that dueConfideration might be taken, wh 
was promifed : And that certain Lords, by Nai 
might be appcwnted to, confer with the- Commons 
theie and other Matter?. But, at the Requeft of 
Merchants, made laft Parliament, the King granted 
William ChilderOj late Admiral of the South and^W 
Seas, the Allowance of 2668 /. which was due to hi 
and that he be difcharged of all Accounts, 
•f be Commons On the 2 iH o{ November^ which Wa.<j the laft E 
return Thanks of this Parliament, the Speaker defired the King. to g 
hVco^Xn P^^l^^^ Thanks to the Prince of mies, for his gr 
Wales. . Fatigue and good Condudl in fFales i for which be 

the King and the Prince returned back their Conig 
ments to the Commons f/j. After which the Prin 
kneeling before the King, cleared the Duke of Tori fn 
difloyal Reports fpread againft him, and in open P 
liament averred him to be a true and loyal Knight, 
the fame Time, the Speaker moved the King to 5 
vancc his Sons the Lords Thomas^ John^ and Humphr 
to feme honourable Titles and Fortunes. 
A Sabfidy The Lords and Commons on the fame Day gram 

granted. to the King one Tenth and a Half ; with the like Si 

fidy for Staple and other Merchandizes, as was gran^ 
in the laft Parliament, for two Years. And, in Cc 
lideration of the Subfidies aforefaid, the King promi/i 
that for two Years, next enfuing, be would require 

oil 

(s) See before, P. 104. 

(t) The Prince havingthc Command of an Army in U^aks, had gi 
cd two Vidories there j in the latter of which -the Son 6f Owm Gi 
dour was taken Prifol^^n Rapin^ Fei.EeUt^ P. 496. 



0/ ENGL AND. icp 

other Subfidies or Charge on his Subjefts ; and, for more Kbg Hcwy iv^ 
Affurance thereof, defired that this might pafs into an 
Aft, and that every Member might have a Copy of it. • 

It feems, by the Record, that the Lords and Com- 
mons did not agree fo well, as formerly, in this Parlia- 
ment ; for a Difference that happened between the two 
Houfes about granting the Subfidy, ga\e Rife to the 
/oUowing Ordinance, viz. 

* That in all future Parliaments, in the Abfence of An Order to pr^- 

* the King, it (houW be lawful as well to the Lords by y^^ ^^ ^*^. 

* themfelves, as to the Commons by themfelves, io^^^^^q^^^ 

* debate of all Matters relating to the Realm, and of mons private Dc- 

* the Means to'redrefs them ; without difclofing the^*^"^^^^^*^ 

* &me to the King before a Determination made there- 

' * -of, and that to be done only by the Mouth of the 

* Speaker. Which Ordinance was made, becaufe Part 
•of theaforefaid Difpleafure arofeon Account of the 

* Lords making the King, feveral Times, privy to their 
' Debates on the Subfidy, and brought Meflages from 

* him ; which the Commons faid was abfolutely againft 

* their Liberties/ ^ 

On the laid laft Day of this Parliament, the Speaker 
required, that the Commons might depart with as great 
Liberty as they had done heretofore ; and again recom- 
mended it to the King and Lords, that fufficient Means 
might be taken for guarding the Seas, and refilling the 
ITilcb Rebels («). 

. It was not till two Years after the laft, that another Anno Regni, n. 
Parliament was called, which was to meet at If^ejl- 1410. 
minftery on the ^nnde/te of St Hilary, or January the ^^^^^^^^^^^^^'^ 
1 8th, 1410, but they did not fit to do Bufinefs *till 
nine Days after. When the Bifliop of IVincheJier^ the. 
King's Brother, there being then no Chancellor, de- 
dared the Caufe of the Summons to be for the Prefer- 
ration of the Church's Liberties, ^V. and then took 

for 

{u) Some more Strokes were made at the Court of Rome this Parlia- 
"aeoty oft the Score of Provifions, 6fc. Statutes a: Large, An. 9. Hen* 
IV. Cap. viii. 

Thb Year Henry Percy, Eafl of NortbumberUindj raifed Forces, and 
coter'd Torkjkire, but was overthrown by the ShsrifF of that County, 
•od Jiimfelf flain. This was the "End of the Father, Son, and Brother, 
ielcead^ irom one of the nobleft Races that came from Normandy into . 
inrUnd. Bi ON 01*9 H^ory of the Wan btttoffn the Houfes of Yprlc 
49d Lanca^r j P* 85. 



T 1 7he 'Parliamentary History 

KiDgHtniy IV for his Subject, Duet nos impkre emnem Jj^ili 
wbich he difcanied lo this Purport i 

* That this Parliament was fummoned f( 

* Caufes J ihe firft for the inward Governanct 
' Realm, as in the due Obfervaace of the Law 

* fecond for outward Governance, as in a pro| 

* fence againft a Foreign Enemy ; and in 

* touched upon the Duke of Burgundy, then 

* nor of France, who he faid meant lo beficgc 

* with a great Army, ^d then to conquer thi 

* dom.' 

He told them, amongft other Matters, ' Th 
' were two Kinds of Government, the Jus j 
' nis, and Jus Suhje^mis ; allowing the firl 

* better, according to the Anfwer of Ariflmle I 

* Alexander^ who, being alked in what Man 

* faid King might llrongcft fortify the Walls of 
' Fortrefs, or Frontier Town, which be had 
' anfwered, that the ftrongeft Walls were the 
» Good-Will of his Subjefls, and Obedience 

* Laws' 

He faidy • That all true Subjeits owe to the 

' ' feign thrte chief Points, vH. Honour and 

' ence, 'Reverence and Benevolence, and heai 

* fiance. And, bt-caufe the prefent Necel 
' quir'd ready AlTiIlance, and ipecJy Difpatc 
' King hadcallcd this Aflembly for a full Confu 
' which he wilhed might redound to the Glory i 
' the Honour of the King, and the Safety of ih 
' Realm. For which good End he willed th 
' mona lo go to an Eleflion of their Speaker, a: 
' feni him the next Day to the King, 

On the i8ih of January, the Commons p 
Sir Ihenas Chaucer, again, for iheir Speaker, 
lakin^r ihe common Proteftatioti, the King, 



sir Thomit 
Chau«t »sal- 
chorea Speaker. 



0/ E N G L A N D. m 

ig of Parliament. But nothing more is faid of their King Henry iv. 
oceedings 'till the 1 5 ih of March^ which, being at 
It Time in Palm-Sunday Week, at the Defire of the 
>mmons, the Parliament was adjourn'd to the ^;V 
^e of Eaflir next following. 
At that Day, being Jpril the 7th, the Parliament 
ifiembled, when the King granted, that certain of 
t mpft learned Bifhops, and worthy Lords, fliould 
affigned to be of his Council ; and that they and all 
fr Judges fhould be fworn to give good Counfel and up- 
lit Judgment. 

It was enabled, that all fuch as had Caftles and Seveni Aai 
owns in theMarfhes o^ Scotland^ fhould furnifh them pa^f<i fortkeSe^ 
th Neceflaries,' and keep Guard there in proper Per- J^^°^ ^ ' 
ci. The. faipe Order was taken for the Caftles and * ^ 
owns in Wales. Alfo, that the Revenues of the 
ing*s Dominions beyond Sea fliould for three Years be 
iployed on the Soldiers there ; and that no Officer 
ere, who is immediately accountable to the King, 
all enjoy the fame during Life. » 

It was alfo enadted, that three Parts of the Subfidy en 
"oob fliall be employed upon the Defence of Calais^ ' 

cCaftle there, the new Tower on Rochbanky and on 
e Marfbes of Qalaisj and for the Payment of certain 
d>ts there. That fuch Subfidies as fliould be granted 
is Parliament fliould be employed according to the 
rant, and not otherwife. And, on a Remonftrance 
►m the Commons, the King ordered that all Fo- 
gners who arc come into the Realm, except Mer- 
ants, fliall make Proteftation to live and die in the 
ing's Quarrel ; fliall ferve in the Wars if they are able ; 
d fliall not be lodged but in Englijhmen's Houfes. 
fo, that none of them fliall be Brokers, and that no 
oker fliall be a Merchant to his own Ufe. 
On the 2d of May, upon the eameft Requeft of the The great Re- 
inunons, fuch Lords as were before appointed to befpcapaidbyPar- 
the King's Council, were again declared ; all oO^^^^tton^nrf 
lom, with the Judges, were then fworn to do juf.P'^^^^Waict. 
; ; except the Prince of Wales, who, fcr his IVor^ 
nejsy as is there exprefled, was excufed that Cere- 
»oy. 

rhe Rejlder may obferve, that there arc fcveral Paf- 

. fagcs 



been made Prehdent of ihe Council, as he, 
then was : For, in an Ordinance, made tl 
ment, where, if any of the King's Chief i 
Judges, fhall take any Bribe or Reward, 
forfeit treble the Value to the King, it is 
the Margin of the Roll, RifpeSiuatur per 
Principem et Con/ilium. It is, therefore, : 
evident by this, what fome Hiftorians ren 
it was the King's Jealoufy of his Son's 
Greatnefs and Popularity, and his Negledl o 
that Reafon, which thiew the Prince on the 
Courfes which are laid to his Charge. 

In this Farhament, there was fome Rela^ 
manded of the late fevere Adl againft Lollards 
reticles ; for now it was requefted by the C 

* That all fuch Perfons as fhould be arrefted b] 
The Commons ' the Statute, made ngainft LoUardy in the fee 
pray a Mitigation* of this Reign, n)ay be bailed and freely pu 

th^LoU^dlf''-'"^ ' ^^'^^^ ^^ " ' ^^'^^ ^^^y ^^ arrefted by no oti 
* * the Sheriffs, or fuch like Officers ; and ths 

* vock be madebf their Goods.' Anfwer. T 
will be advifed. 

Thus far the Record. But Mr Rapin rel 
on paffing the A^ for regulating Eleftions, tl 
monj: were encouraged, before they granted ai 
renew their former. Inftances in regard to tl- 
JVukliff'i Doftrine had gained fo much Groi 



0/E NGLAND. 113 

'different Manner from the Intent of the Donors. lOnj Hmit IV. 
' That their Revenues wereexcefllve, and conTequent- 
I M/it was ficceflary to leflen them. Th.u fo many And teaew thdf 
I 'Eftates might eafily be taken from them as would Projea for re. 
^ferveto providefbr 150 Earls, at the Rate of So'^o^"""*"'/?'" 
^Marks, yearly, each ; ijoo B.irons at lOO Markscie^'° 
■each ; 6zoo Knights at 40 Marks ; and 100 
Hofpitals, at 33 manj' Marks, yearly, for each 
Hnfpital. That, by thefe Means, the Kingdom's 
Safety would be belter provided for, the Poor better 
• maintained, and the Clergy more attach'd to their 
' Duty (x). 

This is Monf. Kapin\ Account of the Contents of 
this Bill J but could fo learned and judicious an Author 
ever fuppofe that fuch a Number of Earls, Barons, and 
Knights, were likely to be (upported at fuch a Calcu- 
lation ; provided that the Commons were willing to 
raife fo many new Lords and Mafiers amongft them. 
His Marginal Note refers you 10 Walfingham for hia 
Authority ; but, unfortunately for him, ihat very 
Auihoriiy coniradids it, and fhcwshim, if not an ig- 
norant, at leafl, a carelefs or an unfair Tranflator. 
fVaijiiigham's Account of the Conienis of ihe Bill, 
which the Commons now exhibited againft the Cleigy, 
is this, ' That the Temporalities, difordinaiely wafted 

* by Men of the Church, might well fuffice to find the 
' King with 15 Earls, 1500 Knights, 6200 Efquires, 

* and 100 Almhoufes, for the Relief of poor People, 

* more than there were then \a England {y). That 

Vol. 1L H ' every 

(g) CtM-cinquant Cimiis, a miimlU Mam ciaan far jintia, 
MinEcKRi Sannt, a tqo Mem cbaa^, J!x-mlli diu^.cau CbrvdSfri 
m^ Marc, & cat Hi^jpifaux a loo Mer.!. 

KAriN EJii. Amft Tom III. f. 407- 

( j) The Fomiofihe Petition, CFrRenioiiflrance, in JTalfingbam, nude 

hf the Hcafc of CommonB to the King and Lotds, rnns in thefe Worii. 

KraUtiitiffm' Demha v^n Rigi 11 emuius Pnciritia, in frxfini! Par- 
Bammi anfliiai,, amna Ceamu^a fidcUi damnjIriaXbumtSur, Sonet 
vcratiier, ijtoi Diminut mjler Six ftiift baitrt ic Bmii Taiperaliias, per 
Eft/apes tl Abhsia, ac Prions, taufalii ac jaftrkt vajfatii in R^iu, 
■ ' ■ iComites, millequinpentM Milita, fei mille d«ento< Atoii- 
centnmXcnodcchiajiWjoM*/../, t,„i el fiiUtir fitfiatau,, 
_. ._ xTntemtiti!, it^rt i^urilirir .1 f„peri, ■vajlaiis. 
'heftieceedinBAceount of the feTeral Stipends, Oft. i« given by our 
rChniniclee, and i: taken foim an aniient MS HiAar; of tbtla 
a, under the Title of T'luiLi'fiui, 




I 114 Hie Tarli.tmentary H 1 s t o ^ r I 

O^RnujIV.* every Earl fhould have, of yearly Rent, p^ 

* Marks; every Knight lOO Marks, and+roMBj 

* Lands ; every Efquire 40 Maries and 2 Plough tlnH 
' and every AIm(houfe loa Marks ; and be overlomH 

* byiwoiruefecular Prieftsro each Houfe. And,o»W 
' and above all thefe, tlie King might put yeafTfjB 

* into his own Coffers, 20,000 Pounds. Provial 

* alfo, thatevery Townfliipfhouldmaintain theiroliB 

* Poor, ihal could not labour ; on Condiiion, tllitfl 

* any was oveiburthen'd with them, then the A 

* Townfh'tps to be relieved by the AlrafhoulesafcrEfiil 
' And, for to bear the Charges of all ihefe Things, tRe' 

* Commons affirmed, in their Bill, that the Tempo- 

* ralities, then in the Poffeflion of Spiritual Men, 1- 

* mounted to 323,000 Marks, yearly Rent,' The 
Commons alfo alledgcd, ' That over and above [fat 
' faid Sum of 322,000 Marks, feveral Houfcs of Reli- 

* glon in Etiglandy poflcded as many Temporalities,, 
' as might fuffice to find 15000 Priefts ; every PrieU 

* lobeallowed, for his Stipend, feven Marks a Year.' 
This is a genuine Account of this extfaordinarji At- 
tack on the Clergy, in thofe Days ; the Bill WJl 
brought into the Houfe by Sir John Oldcajik, Lorf. 
Cabham ; which drew upon him the Hatred of that rtft 
Body of Men, and terminated at laft in Jiis own De* 
Ittuilion. 

The fecond Petition is mentioned in the Record,, 
wherein the Ccmmons prayed that the Statute pafs*!!- 
againft the iflZ/arrfj, in the fecond Yeaf of this Reign,. 
mi;:^ht be repealed ; or, at leall, qualified with fome 
Rellriflions. 

Mr Rapin here again makes this Refleflion on thcfe 
two Petitions ; ' 'i'hat if [he Parliament which firft 
' mov'd the leflening the Clergy's fievenues was caH'd 

* the untearntd, it may well be fuppoftd that this met 
*■ with no better Treatment. Tiie Name of Lelkii 
' and Hereiiti was plentifully beftowed ; and liie 
' Clergy confidei'd ihefe Petitions as tending to under- 
' mine all Religion. This was induftrioully inlinuatcd 
' to the King, with all the Aggravation which Partiei 
' concein'darecapablcof difplayingon fuch an Occi- 

* Son. It is hard lo know, liiysour Author, whether 
* the 



0/ENGLAND. iis -* 

* the King himfelf was of ibis Mind ; but, however, jting Henry iv. 

* he openly declared, that he had the Intereft of the 

* QKiEchoo Icfs at Heart than the Clergy themlelves. 

* And, being now very ealy from his Enemies, boih at 

* home and abroad, he had no Mind to provoke fo 

* great and dangerous a Body againft him. For this 
' Reason he rebuked the Commons very fliarply, and 

* faid, ^hat ht neither could mr ivauld tunfsnt to their Both which iha 
' Petitmi, and expreJSy forbad them to middle any more King rtfufei to 

* tvith the Church'i Concerns, jfs for the Lollards, he ""'''^ "'*' 

* added, that far from permiitng the Statute agaiK/} 

* tiem to be repealed^ he wijbsd it more rigorous^ f^r the 

* utttrExXirpation ofHerefioutoftheLand{x),' 

The Commons being baulk'd again in their Expec- 
talions in thefe higher Matters, contented ihemfelves 
with petitioning, that Clerks when convicted, might 
be put inio the King's Prifons, or ihofe of the Tem- 
poral Lords ; ailedging, for Reafon, that Clerfcs 
by thofe Means frequently efcap'd the Punifhment 
(hey deferv'd [a). . This Point had been often at- 
tempted by the Laity againil the Clergy ; pariiculjrjy, 
u h^ as the Reign of King Henry II. when ihat 
Prince, and all the Peers of the Realm, maintained 
Ais Point fo ftoully againft Archhilhop Beciet and Pope , 

Aifxander III. But our Henry, faring to be expofed 
to the fame Troubles his PreJcccilbr hiid been, refuled, 
alfo, to ^ve his Aflcnt to this Bill i and, lo (hew the 
Commons how far he was from giving anv Counte- 
nance to thefe Proceedings, he figned a Warrant for 
H2 the 

(=) The King hid been long rufpefled, e»en before he time to the 

Cfowi.. to be ai Br«« * Fjvoure. „f W/cW/f > Doflrine as his Father 

I wu befaif him. fabifv and HiJliiefiiad both write, thit in Sir ytbn 

I Bm(*i EianuTutian, bEfacechcCouncil, vecy Ibon iTier the late RevO' 

teneo, he dfclired that he bcM--i KinE SJcharJ !iy, ' That he knew 

' tbeDa.ie<ilHirefird, if he WMonce King, w-ould prove a bitlerand 

* troel Enemy to ibe'Ctiorc'o. ■ HiUingpHad, p. 511. Bimtdi, 49. 
The Abbot of ir^iV/n-, ilfo, in his Speech to ifle Lordi engig'd 

« the Con (piracy apinft Hrn-y, in the fiift Yew of hii Reign, uig'd, 

* Thw he heard him once l"jy. when DoJie of Lmaajlir, that Piincei 

* bid too little, and the fteligioui too much j and therefore he I'appoi'd 

1 BO Fiienii to the Church, if he contijiued long in that Dignity. 

C™/««'.Cbr..nide, p. 409. 
J »'«ifiig**i>l'l Wnrds ire, Vt dtrici leimiai Ji altri mn .Iradt. 
rErgafiulii EfijiBfurtm, ftJ Careiriita rtj^jii 11 iimferaL'uiH Dimi- 
I. p. 379. 




J 



out a Meeting of a Parliament, this Demand ■ 
Which lilt Com- ly rejeftcd. The Commons would have eve 

Iicoia rrfenr, the Supply for his neceflary Occafions, if he 
forcedlhem lo il, byprolonging the SefTion 'l 
his Defire. 
^L The Reader will find here much more M. 

^K latinp to the Proceedings of ihis Parliament, 

^B Jbridger o{ ihe Records hzs ^iven us ; it mull 

^K reft on ihe Credit of the cotemporary Hillori 

^■1 meniioned. By ihefe itplainly appears, that J 

^K- as defpoiiclt Principles as his Predcceflbr, whci 

^^1 10 {hew them. 

^H A Matter of more private Concej-n came a 

^H this Parliament, which fince it bears Refpc^ 

^H cient and noble Family, which we fliall have 

^H cafion to mention in the Sequel of this Work, 

^H not omit (he Abridger's Account of it. 

^Kt The^Petitionof Richarddt Hajlings, (hew 

^H Ralph de Hajiingi, his Brother, who was arts 

• t beheaded for High Treafon, in the fixth Y( 

King, died without lITue ; and prayeth to b 
as well to his Blood, as to all fuch Lands as 
RalphhAA at the Timeofhis Deaih, withou 
'' Iher Suit (c). Which Petition, by the A0e 

whole Parliament, was granted- 
On the 9th Day of May, and the laft of 
ATirraiions ifi Ilament, the Speaker of the Commons requirV 
!^' 5^"!!^ll' rain K nowledge of the Counfellor!= Names t 



Of ENGLAND. 117 

Mention (hould be made in the Grant, that it was >ro- Kin Heory IT. 
vided of their ewn goad Willi ; whereoflhey gave twen- 
ty ihoufand Marks to the King, to difpole of at hi* 
Pleafure. After which the Speaker recommended to 
ihe King the Perfons of the Queen, the Prince, the 
Lords Thmas, Joh^, and Humphrey, the King's Sons, 
and pray'd iheir Advancement ; for which the King 
thanked them, and promifed Satisfaflion hi this Matier 
Ht a proper Opportunity {d). 

Before the Meeting of this laft Parliament King 
Herrry found himfelf more at Eale in his Government, 
than ever he had been yet. Frame, which had hither- 
to been a terrible Thorn in his Heel, was now itfelf 
torn in Pieces by a Civil War between the two Hou- 
' fes of Orleans and Burgundy. This, alio, occafioned 
Siotlatfd and fPales, fince they could now receive no 
feriher Afliftance from France, to agree to a Truce > 
with England. All Henry's inborn Lnemics were al- 
moft totally dcftroyed ; and, having nothing to fear, 
either at Home or Abroad, he btcame more abfolute 
than ever, The Reader may obferve, that at the Head 
of this Seflion, when the Speaker of the Houle of Com- 
mons made the ufual Proteftation, the King took 
iDoi« upon him than formerly, by prohibiting the Spea- 
ker from ufing any indecent ExprelTiuns ; that is, we 
ibppofe, from faying, or doing, any Thing that might 
give him Offence. We Ihall here apa'n beg Leave to 
give a remarkable Paragraph in Rapin's Hiftory, ron- 
lainir^ fome Refled:ions on the Means Heniy ufed to 
pack this Parliament ; as that Author does not quote 
his Authority, we fliall reft it, Iingly, on his own ; 
but, it is Matter of fome Wonder that /iich Exprefli- 
ona (hould flow from the Pen of this Hiftohan. 

* Though Henry^ lays he, had caufed Richard to lie ' 

* depofed for ufurping an arbitrary Power contrary to 

* [he Laws, yet, he himfelf plainly fhewed by certain 

* Proceedings he would have been glad to govern with 

* an ablbltite Authority. This chiefly appeared 'in the 

* £lc£tioQs of Members of Parliament. By the Di- 

* reflions of the Court, certain Artifices were prac- 

* tifed, to render the Freedom of Voting of no Ufe ; 

H 3 ' iiocc 

[d} Piiitc TJ^Mai hij fccond Sod, trni accnrimEty crinted Duke cf 



1 18 77ji? Tarliamentary History 

KlDjHenrjlT. ' fince the SherifFa took the Liberty to return fuc^J 

' Reprefentatives as had not a Majority of Votes. l"hlj^ 

* is a Thing of fo fatal a Confequence, ihat it may b 

* affirmed, the Liberty of the EngHJh will no longe 

* fubiift than ffhilft the Privilege ot freely eletling their 
' Reprefentativcs in Parliament Hands inviolated. If 

* once the Sovereign cornea to chufe what Reprefenta- 
' lives he plcafes, the Bounds of the Royal Authority 
' will be in the End fo enlarged, that nothing hut the 

* mere Shadow of Liberty will remain. Of lliis, we 
' have feen a remarkable Inftance in the Reign of 

* Richard IL But it may farther be added, that all 

* the Kings of England, who have enjoyed a more ab- 

* folute Power than the reft, acquired it by this Way ; 
' I mean, by procuring their Creaiures to be ckfled. 
' When a Parliament confifts of fuch Members, it is 
' not the King which is charged wiih Encroachments 

* on the People's Libetty, but it is the Nation itfelf 
I ' ' that voluntarily runs into Slavery, And, if, after- 

' wards, they refolvc to throw off their Chains, they 

* can only fucceed by violent Means ; and this, by the 

* Way, is the Spring of moft of our Civil Wars fo 

* often kindled in England. 

We may TCiiture to affirm, that no native Hiftoriaa 
could more juftl? defcant on the Abufe of Engiijh Par- 
liaments tlian this Foreigner hath here done. And, 
we with we could fay, that this Praflice hath not been 
ufed in much laier Reigns, and, even down to our own 
Times. Yet the Reader may well wonder, what all 
this Icng Preamble waa to introduce ; our Author goes 
on and writes, ' That the Parliament which met in 

* January i\^ts, confidering the Confequences of the 
' Kinp's Proceedings to over-rule Eleitlons, believed 

* the Redrels of that AbiiTc as the moft preffing Af- 

* fair. Accordingly, in the Beginning of the Seflion, 

* they prefenied a Bill to the King, by which the She- 

* riffi who fhould be guilty of making falfe Returns, 
' were to be fined one Hundred Pounds Sterling for 

* each OfFeni;e {i). The King would have been glad . 

* to 

(() Thii it nil Emendation of ihe Slatate of 7 tint. IV. Far the ictter 
SiguLaitn of EltHii^, fsr Knhbii sfibtSblrc. Hereby not only tho 
Sheijffi were to f<Tiut 100 /. (at every fuch OITcnce, bac the Knighb 
of Shitcj, fi- ri-rurned, wcie alfo to iofc their accultomed WaBW. Stt 
h/ori, p. glj and lOj, 



Of ENGLAND. iij 

to evade this Aft ; but as he could not do it, without Ki"! Henry IV. 
• laying himlelf too open, bclides as he intended to de- 
' fliand aSublidy, hegaveitthe Royal Aflent.' 

The pnly Reafon Rapin gives for gaining iliis Sta- 
tute is an ipfi dixit of liis oivn j not one finglc Word 
of it appearing on the Record. Nay, it 15 much more 
probable that the King and his P-ifliament agreed very 
Weil ihisSeflionj fince, in the Grant oi" theSubfii^y, 
ihey made him a lingular, and very unutual, Prelent 
of 10,000 Marks at hiaown Difpolal, 

Another Parliament aflembled at Wejlminftsr^ ba 
the id o( Novtmher, m the 13th and lall Year of this 
King's Reign {/). At which Time, the Coittmons 
being called over, as ufuaj. Sir Thomas Beaufort, ano- 
ther Half-Brother of the King's, then Chanct-llor, by 
Virtue of Letters Patent iheie read and enrolled, be- 
gan, prorogued, and continued the faid -Parliament for 
a Week longer. 

Al which Time thefaid Oiaticelbr, by the King's Anno Rfjni 13, 
Command, in hisPrcfence, and in the Prefcnce of all ^^ ^+^ . ^ * 
(he I/iwds and Commons, declared, ' That this Parlia- ' 

* meat was called for three Caulls : For the good Go- 
' vernmentof ihe Realm, due Execution of the Laws, 

* and ihe Defence of the Kingdom, with the fafe Ktep- 

* iag of the Seas.' From ihefe he argued, ' That to 
' the good Governance of the Realm beloiiged faith- 

* fill Council without Flattery, and due Obedience 
' without Grudging. To the due Execution cf the 

* Laws did appertain lincere Keeping of the fame, and 

* ipeedy Redreis for Fear of Abufe. To the Defence 
» Qi the Realm there needed their hearty willing Relief 
« to the King in his Dillrefs, with difcreet and fpeedy 
' Pnovifion : for all which Caufes they were then af- 

* fembled.' He added, ' That it was the King's 
' PJeafurc the Chuich, with all Corporations and Per- 
' fons ihould enjoy their wonted Liberties ; and, for 
' expediting ihefe Matters be defired the Commons to 

* chufe a Speaker, and prefent him the next Day.' 
Accordingly, the Commons ptett'iited Sir Tbomai Stt Thown 

Chaucei'i once more, as their Siieaker ; whofe Excufe t^hi"i^ 



(/) Sir mUhm Degdjie placei this Parliimint In the ulh Year, i 
(Ijs, there were no Summont in the ij'h, bu^C^'iia'i.liriJp^ivt, ■ 
tke Slttv'rs s! IffE-; m»ke it Ihs i;ili and laft. 



"■ SpatkM. 



J 



no The Tarliamentary History 

WniHenrj' IV, not being allowed, he prayed that he might fpcak tii 
der the ufual Proteftalioii. It was granted, that 
might fpeak as others before had done ; but that tl 
King would have no Noviliies intreduced, and woi 
enjoy hit Prersgativc. Upon this, the Speaker defin 
a RefpiCe for three Days, to give his Anfwer in Writ^ 
'ng, which was, ' That he defired no other Proteft** 
■ [ion than wliat other Speakers had made ; and, that 
' if he Ihould fpcak any Thing to the King's Difplea- 
' fure, it might be imputed to his own Ignorance, on- 
' ly, and not to the Body of the Commons ; ' which 
the King granted. 

Then the Commons, by Aflent of the Bifhops and 
lords, granted to the King the fame Siibfidy, as to 
Tinage and Poundage, as in the two !aft Parliaments j 
fo, alfo, that it might be cxprefled to proceed frtm 
their own Gasd-WiU, and not of Duly. They alfo 
granted, that every Perfon poilelled of Twenty Pounds^ 
by the Year, above all Charges, (hall pay Six Shillings 
and Eightpmce ; except Lands purchafed in Mertrnaiay 
before the toth of Edward I. and Lands purchafed in 
The firilLand. Frai^k Almoigne, iince the faid 20th Year. This is the 
Tax. firft Tax upon Land that we have yet met with. 

On the lall Day of November, the Speaker, in the 
Name of the Commons, prayed the King to give 
Thanks to the Prince, and others appointed to be of 
the King's Council, in the lalt Parliament, for well 
employing the Treafure then granted ; which his Ma- 
jefty did accordingly. 
AnARforKgu. Itwascnafted, * That the Mint-Ma(tet wiihin the 
lating the Coin. * Tower of London, and oilier Miniers within the 
' King's Grant, may com of every Pound of Gold of 

* the 7i«Jf-W eight Fifty Nobles ; and of the fame 

* Weight of Silver Thirty Shillings Sterling, during 

* two Years ; provided that the laid Gold and Silver 
' be of as good Allay as the old Coin was (e). 

About this Time ihe current Coin of the Nation 
was much debafed by Foreign Money being added to 
it ; whereupon a Law was made, this Parliameni, for 
prohibiting a certain bad Coin, called Galley- HalfU 
Peneej to pafs current, as, alfo, all Foreign Mone/f 



(<) Sterna ai Large, An. J3. Hai, iV. Cap. 1 



"1 



0/ E N G L A N D. iii 

as well of Scotland as other Nations- An Hif^orianKiogHcDrjlVa 
writes, that tho' the King had no Tax granted this 
Parliament, (we fuppofe he means no Tenths nor Fif- 
ttenibi) yet he fo wel! managed the Bufinefs of the 
Coinage, that he raifed as good a Fund by it. For, 
parity, by leizing the forfeited Money, and, partly, 
by coining new Nobles, which he made a Groat light- 
er than the old, he much enriched his own Trea- 
fory (/). 

A Church- Affair of fome Confequence came, alfo, 
before this Parliament ; Thomas, Archbiihop of Can- 
terhury, by a long Inftrument, in Laiin, fhewed, that 
in the Time of Richard Iff the Univerfity of Oxford 
lad purcbafed a Bull to be clearly exempt from the 
Vifitation of the faid Archbiftiop, to the End ihat they 
might belter fupport HereticJcs and Lollards ; and that 
the faid King Richard took Order that they fiiould 
flill be fubjeft to the faid Archbilhop's Vifiiation, not- 
withftanding the faid Bui!. Yet, he added, that in this 
King's Time he had been djfturbed in his Viiitation 
aforefaid by Richard Courtney, ihe Chancellor, Ben- 
mi Brett, and Join Birch, ihe Proflors of the faid 
Univerlity ; and that, by their Submiffion to the 
King's Order, it was by him, in Chancetj, decreed, 
that the whole Univerfity aforefaid, and all Oiders, 
Ferfons and Faculties in the f;ime, fhould be fully fub- 
jeft to the Vifitaiion of the faid Archbifhop and his Suc- 
ceflbts, and to his and their Officers. And that as 
often as the faid Archbifhop, or his SucceUbrs, or his 
or iheir Officers, fhould be interrupted by the laid 
Chancellor, their Liberties fhould be feized into the 
King's Hands, until the tiiJ Archbiihop was reftored™. , ...^ 
to his Right. And, further, for every Time of fuchofCanierboryV 
Interruption, the faid Chancellor, or other Officer ofP^wnof^fitiiig 
die Univerfity, (bould be bound to i>ay tu the King|J|°g^*'^'''* 
One ihoufand Pounds. Pariiimmi, not- 

All thefc Articles and Orders, at the Requeft of ihe«''l'iianding the 
faid Archbifhop, were confirmed by tiie whole Affentg"^^"'^^" "^ ' 
of Parliament, On all which Sir Robert Catteii makes 
Ibis Remark, * That hence it molt manifelUy appears, 
* that even in thore Days, ihe Prerogatives of our 
' Princes 
(/) Dmilia KaKii, P. joi. 



jpears, j 

of our ■ 

'rinces B 



King Htory IV. * Princes were nothing fubjeft tp the Pope's Su(H«lip 
' cy. For, otherwife, this Archbifliop, the Pope^l 
^ adopted and Fofter-Son, would not have to lligbtef 
< the Pope's Bulls, which he plainly tpofc for mm 

* Bells and Baubles ^^). V 
On the 20th of December^ which was the laft Dayl 

of this Parliament, the Lords and Commons, by thrk 
joint Petition, feemed to lament, ti^at a Report wv 
fpread, that the King was offended with fome, in botjl 
Houfes, for Matters done in the laft Parliament ; and 
they defired that the King would embrace and etofll 
them as his byal Subje<Sts i which Requeft he, oat of 
meer Grace, granted. 'Ihen the Speaker, again, ifp 
commended to the King the Perfons of ^ Quetai 
the Prince, and the reil of the King's Sons, praying tin 
Advancement of their Eftates ; for which his Majeflj 
returned thciti his hearty Thanlcs. And, after tfai 
more private Petitions of the Commons were anfwd> 
ed, the Chancellor, by the King's Command, em 
Thanks to the Three Eftates of Use Realm> and di^ 
folved this Parliament. 
A€t agatnft But We muft not omit to mention that a Statute wm 

Riott. pafled in this Parliament agalnft Riots and other Publk 

Aflemblies, whereby it was enaftcd, ' That all Juftica 
^ of Peace fhould have a very ftridl Eye upon the 

* Subjefl: to prevent all riotous Meetings, and Sherifi 

* to be as watchful to fupprefs them ; which, if they 
' negle£led, they ftiould each of them forfeit loo/i 
' for every fuch Offence (h),* By which, adds the Hi* 
ftorian before quoted, it feems that King Richart% 
Ghoft haunted this King to his dying Day ; that the 
People were never thoroughly fatisfied, but difturbed 
his Peace, on every occafion, by Riots and Tumults (/). 

A goieral Pti- However, we find in the Public A6is a general Pardon, 
iMu^ or Ad of Grace, not mentioned by the Abridger ^ 

the Records^ which muft have pafled in this Scflion of 
Parliament, tho' it is dated December 22, or two Days 
' ' after the Diflblution of it, The King's Writ or Pro- 

clamation of the Ad, was fent to all the Sheriflfs in 

Englaidi 

I . (g) Cotton'* Mridgtment, p. 480. 

(b) Stat at Large, Aon. 13. Hea. IV. Caf.yil, 
(ij Daniel in Ktnnetf p. 301. 



0/ E N G L A N D. IJ3 

Ei^ghnd; and there are but two Exceptions, »';::, *^Heafy IV, 

Owen GUndaur and Thomas dt Trumpyngton, wiih iheir 

Adherenl-s included (■/). This feems to be a very iea- 

ibnablc'y/i' of Grace, both for ihe King and his Sub- 

jetfU; lincc, ^ he ihewcd Mercy to tlienii he had ihe 

better Tiile to expcdt ii himfelf, from the King of 

Kings, before whom he was fhorily to appear. For, 

wry foon after, Hetiry was feized wiih a Diftcmper, The Dwih oF 

which, in three Months Time, brought h'm to his End ; Henry iv. 

dyJDg Mdrcb [be 20th, i+ff* in the 46th Year of his 

Age, and the 14th of hjj Reign (m). 

An Abftraft from the Speech that Shaiefpear makes 
(his King Htnry give to his Son the Prince of lyaUs, on 
his Death-Bed, by way of Advice to him, may not 
improperly conclude this Reign. 

KtKO. ^~X)me hither, Harry, fit ibsu on my Bed, 

^ And hear, I think, the very lateji Cnunfel, 
That ever 1 /ball breathe. Heav'n iaiws, my Setif 
By what Bye-Paths and indirect croek'd If'ays 
I met this Crown ; and I "^jelf knew tvell 
Utw tnubhfome it fat upm my Head—^ — — 

It fienud in me. 

But as an Honour fnauhed iiiith boijfraus Hand, 

jfad I bad many living ti> upbraid 

My Gain of it by their Affijiame ; 

Wbiib daily grsiv to parrel and to Bhsdjbed. — ■ 

. Therefore, tny Harry, 

Be it thy Courfe to bufy giddy Minds 

fflth Pereign Quarrels ; thai Mkn, hence^ 

born out. 
May wajle the Memory tf farmer Days. 
More would I fay, hut my Lungs are wafted fi. 
That Strength of Speech is utterly derrf'd me. 
Hnv I came by the Crown, O God, forgive f 
And grant it may with Thee in true Peace live. 



(I) Fud.Aag. Tmn-VIU. P. 7II. 

(m) Mofl of our oU Chroniclts will have it, 
dM bn Paiiiameat vnt di/TolTrd. Bat few of 
temper thit caufed ic i foini Kn, lUaX be dii 
Polyd,n-t y^rgil will have it, that it w*. an in< 
fit hit Ufuipaiioo, and iiijri, SiJ/iia Morbs 
fiilrmiri feiaii. Lib. XXI , p. 4}3. 



TAXES 

that Htnry died bdbre 
hem agree in the Dif- 
d of an Apoplexir, txA 
iinole DifMft, i,>fllfled 
nlatm, nuHe Mtdirim 



124 T"** Tarlianentary H 1 8 T o R T 

KlntHenrrlV. 

TAXES in tht Riiga tf King Henrt IV. 

TN his firft Year ihere was granted to him ;oi 
I every Sack of Wool from Denizens ; artl 
rounds from Aliens for three Yean : Alfo a tath 
a Fifuinth. 

In his fecond Year, a Subfidy was granted of 
Tenth, and one Ftftetnth ; Two Shillings on cveryTdl 
of Wine, and EighL-Pence in the Pound on Mo- 
chandize- 

In hb fourth Year there was granted to the Kinji 
the ufual Subfidy on Wools, Wool-Feis and Skins, iof _ 
three Years ; alio Three Shillings on every Tun i L; 
Wine, and Twelve-pence in the Pound on Metchin* 
■ dize, befides a Tenth and a Fifteenth. 

In his fifth Year there was a Tax of Twenty Shil- . 
lings on every Knight's Fee, and Twenty-pence of ^ 
every one that had Twenty Pounds Lands a Year.ari 
One Shilling in the Pound for Money or Goods, i^ 
fo upwards according lo that Rate. But the Recordof 
this Subfidy was burnt by Order of the Parliament tlut 
granted it. 

In his fixih Year he had two Tenthi and two fif-\ 
itenthi^ alio, the Subfidy on Wools, Woo! Fells, i 
Skins; that is, of every Denizen, for each Sack 
Wool43i. 4(^. for every 14-0 Wool-Pels ihelike Sum, 
and for every Laft of Skins Five Pounds : Of Alio 
1 1. more, lofubfift for two Years ; Three Shillin) 
on every Tun of Wine, imported or exported, 
Twelve-pence in the Pound on Merchandize. 

In his feventh Year, there was granied a Subfidy 
one Tenth and one Fifteenth, befides the uftial Grai 
upon Wools. 

In bis ninth Year, he had one Tenth and a Halft with 
the fame Subfidy as in the laft Parliament, for two 
Years. 

In hb eleventh Year, the fame Tax was granted j 
And, 

In his thirteenth Year, it was again repeated, wiih 
the Addition of 6j. and Srf upon every Owner of 
l-ands of 20 /, a Year clear Ellate. 

Towards 



^w 



0/ ENGLAND. I2j 

Towards forming fome Notion of the Value of ihefe Kke Heatj IV. 
Taxes, talce the following Account of 



7be Price ef Provisions in this Reign. 

In 1401, Wheat very dear, at its. the Quarter (b). 
In 1407, a Cow was fold for 7 J. and her Calf for 
I*. 8rf. Five Bufliels and a half of Salt for 31. ^kd. 
Two BuQieb of Wheat for lod. A Threflier for a 
Day's Labour zd. An Ox fold for lys. ^d. A 
new Plough 10 d. For eleven Bulhels of fowing 
Wheat 5 J. 10 i(/. For eighteen Buftels of fowing 
Oats 41. 6 if. For a Dung- Cart and all Material 
II, 2(/. For a Pair of Cart -Wheels 3/. %d.{s) 

{-) Takiah'i Cbronicli. 

ft} Kennitt'i Ptmbiul ^ntijaiiiii, Fliitwood*! Ommnn 



{ 



I i6 The Varttamentary H i s T o r. r 

V. 

TJENRY the Fifth began his Reign March za, 
•*-* jlntio r4i;, the Dny of his Father's Death, and 
was procUimed on the next, with the ufual Ceremonies. 
Our older Chronicles, and their Copiers, impute feveral 
Wildnefi'es and light Behaviour to the Minority of this 
Prince, very unbecoming his high Birth and Station. 
Bat the Reader may obferve, in the Courfe of ihefe 
Enquiries, throughout his Father's Reign, that feveral 
high Compliments were made this Prince of ffales^ od 
his Valour and Pnideiice, by Parliament ; very intxMi- 
fiftent wnth fuch a Charafler (f). We are told by a Oft- J 
temporafy Hiftorian, and an ancient Manufcripc Q)tt>li J 
ride of this King's Life, that the late King, his Faibeivfl 
had fummoned a Parliament to meet at JVeJim'mjfer^m 
on March the 24th this Year, which was four, Dayil 
a.''tcr he died {q). That being met, accordingly 
they gave an extraordinary Teftimony of their eniiM 
Confidence in the new King, by an Addrefs to hiq 
from both Houfes, wherein ihey offered to fwear Allo> 
giance to him before he was crowred, or had tafcea_ 
the cuftomary Oath to govern according to the LawKJ 
The King gave ihem Thanks for their good AiFeftioffl 
to him, and exhorted thtm to employ all their Powei' 
for the Good of the Nation, in their feveral Places EtdC 
Stations. He told them, ' That he began hisJleigi 
' by pardoning all that had offended him ; and, with i 
■"' fincere Defign for his People's Hiippinefs, faid, th* 
' he would be crowned on no other Condition, tha^l 
' to make ufe of all his Authority to promote it. 

* prayed to God, that if he forefaw he was like tw 

' prove any other than a juft and good King, he' 

* would pleafe to t^ke him immediately out of the 

* World, rather than feat him on the Throne, to be a 

* public Calamity to his People.* 

The generous Off'er made by both Houfes of Tarlia- 
ment 



(p) Sec fcrorr 


■ f- 


loS, ind III. 








f,;T;f«i,w 




. M. S. 




■ under 


that Nami 


:, of ibu King'i 


SLnz". and dcdic 


'ited' 


to' h>l 


Son a 


nd Sui 


:crirur. Ni 


i<:ho»om>, HiM 


lihrary, P. Si. 














ItfS' 


that thi! 


1 Parlii 




met on thr 


Da; >((ei CanH^ 


wai-Aij), bntih 




icKbg 


din m' 


t live t 


{i-e tht Ec 


Id ot it, dying M 



QfENGLAND. 117 

ment to this King, at hisAccelTion, and fuch, as an oldniaj Henry V. 
Hiftorian(r), fays, was never made before to any Eng- 
Sfi Prince, is another convincing Tcftimcny cf the 
peat Confidence they placed in his Adminillration and 
Juftice, And his fubfequent Conduit evidently fiiewed 
that they were not miltiilicn in him. But, whatever 
our old Chronicles fay of the calhng this Parliament, 
we meet with no Aulhoriiy for it on Record (i]. 
There is an inccnliftcnt Account iti Cjtten's Abridge- 
ment^ of a Parliament called at Ltkefler, January sg, 
the firfl of this Kfng, and prorogued to the fame Place 
thelallDay o^ April following; but the Dates of the 
Writs do by no me^ins agrt-e with the Date of the iaft 
King's Death. This Matter, however, is fet right by 
another Infpeflor of Records [t), who has given us the 
Form of a Writ direfled to Thomas Archbifhop of Can- 
lirburj^ dated March 22, for calling of a Parliament. 
The Reafons given in the faid Writ of Summons were 
thefe, * That the King by the Advice of his Council, 

* had determined to hold a Pailiament three Weeks after 
' Eafler next following, in order to confult and treat 

* wi^ the Bifliops and other Prelates, the Lords and 

* Commons, concerning the Slate and Safely of the 

* Nation. The Archbilhop was therefore commanded, 
' as he had any Regard to the King's Honour, or the 
' &fcty and Defence of the Kingdom, to be prefent 
' at the Seffion;, and to give Notice, to the Piior and 
' Chapter of the Church of Cunleriury, to the Arch- 

* deacons and all ihc Clergy of ihjt Diocefe, that the 
' Prior and Archdeacons fhould come in their own 

* Perfons to Parliament, and thnt the Chapter fhould 
' fend thither oi.e fit Prodior, and the Clergy two 
' diftinflly appointed, with Power to confent to what 
' fliould be enafled by the General Council of tlic 

* Nation.* The like Wriis were directed to other 
Bi/hops, Abbots, and Priors, to ff^ilHam Gafceign Lord 
Chtef Juftice, to Edward de Courtenay Earl of Deva?2' 
jbire, and others of the Nobility. 

On 

(r) J. Srcan'i Cbm. P. 343. 

(t) The Beidei will find in the Aeeoont ve pre of llie neit Pjtlii- 
ocat, ihat the Mnnbera of the H„uff of Commoas pciitionrd IheKing • 
tbt Colb migbl be allowed them for attending ilie Puiuineii', Ania 
14 Bmry IV. lliD' no Bufmefs was diuie ai it. 



1 28 The 'ParliamentaryYii sTort 

KingHiniyV. On the appointed Day, being May i;, that Year, 

the Parliament met at JVeJimhiftir ; when the King, 

AnnoRtinii. littjug on his Thfone, and the other Eltates of the 

* Atmftaiinfler. Realm attending, the Bilhop of ^inf^^/^n-, the King's 

Uncle, and Lord Chancellor, made a Spsech to them, 

wherein he firft declared, ' That this Parliament was 

* called inorderthat theChurch, with alt Corporations, 

* and Perfons, fliould enjoy their accuftom'd Liberties, 
' and alfo for a general Confultalion. 

The Latin Sentence he chofe for his Theme was, 

jfnie emnt AHum Cenfilium flabilirt ; he told them, 

' That ihe King defired to confult with them on fevc- 

' ral Accounts, for ihe competent Support of his Roy- 

' kI Dignity ; the due Execution of good Laws and 

' Goyernmant of the Nation ; the encouraging his 

' Allies and fubduing his Enemies. And, that they 

' might more effedtuaily go about thefe weighty Mat- 

' ters, he urged the Commons to chufc their Speaker, 

■William Stonr- ' ^^^ pfcfent him the next Day to the King.' Then 

ton, Efqj choftn the Receivers and Tryers of Petitions were appointed, 

Sftikct. and, the Day after, the Commons prefented William 

Slonrtca, Efq; who was allowed. 

May 22. The Commons came before the King and 
Lords, when their tjpeakerdedar'dto his Majefty, that 
in the Time of his Father, many fair l^romifes were 
made for the Ohfervation of the Laws, but nothing 
d6ne in ihem ; whereupon he prayed the King to pro- 
vide for the due Execution of them. And, p.irticular- 
ly, meniioned a hteRiot againft the AbboCof Ciren- 
cejler, mhichhe defir'd might be punifh'd. The Speak- 
er was commanded lo exhibit the fame in Writing, 
that Ihe King might the better confiderof it. 

May 25. Jthn Dorewsed, Efq; and others of the 
Commons, deiiver'd to his Majelty a Scheme, for pro- 
viding for the Dtiet^ce of Ireland, the Marfhes of SPcfrj 
znd of Scslland, of Calais, the Dutchy of Guyenr.'f, for 
fafe guarding the Seas, for furnifliing out a Fleet, and 
for raifipgf^fficient Forces to repel any Invaiiin. 

On the 3d of fu/re the Commons agiiin attended Ihe 
f'h^Di"^ '''='^'' King in the Houfeof Lords, and their Speaker, being 
Er(j"i5(Wen ' ftnder'd by Sickneis, unable to fer^^e, they prefented 
iablsHiM. theSaid Jibn Doriivcud, who had the King's Appro- 
bation. 



L. 



0/ ENGLAND. lap 

And iMrherets Annuities were to be paid to feveral KiogHemrT. 

rfoiu by Letters Patent, it was enadlcd, * That the 
Kmg for the Support of his Charges, fhould Yearly 
leceive ten thouiand Pounds, and the Remainder 
'^ ihould be paid according to the Rate/ And whereas 
MmryV. had by his Laft Will given all his Goods X'^^) /i 
lod Chattels to difchaige his Debts, and for the Pay- 
loent of certain Legacies, and h^d made Hfnry Arch- 
tiflbopof 7#ri, fbomas Bifhop of Durham^ John Pel* . 
iw, R§ien H^aterton^ and John Laventhorp fjcecutont 
nd bad appointed the King and Archbifhop to be Over- 
fan of this hb Teftaoient ; but the Goods falling 
ftort, the Archbifhop of Canterbury^ as Ordinary, ought 
to have the Adminiftration of the faid Goods and Qiat- 
Idi: Therefore, that they might not befet to com- The King mji 
Bkn Sale, the King toct: Pofleffion of them, and granted ^" Ftther'i 
Ae Sum of 25,000 Marks, the Value of thefe Goods, ^^ 
Id be p^ out of the Wardrobe in three Years to the 
Encators, and difcharg'd them of all Executions by the 
.fime Will, which fhould be over and above the laft 
jliKntion'd Sum* The Commons petitioned the King, 
I' That the Starate made in the Fifth Year of Henry 
' the Fourth, for the Regulation of Aliens^ might be ob- 
■ ferv*d.' Which the fcng granted, faving his Prero- 

e. The Commons, with the Affent of the Bi- AStibfidygrmt* 

land Lords, granted to the King the like SubfidyedforfborYcart* 

00 Staple* Ware, Tunnage and Poundage for four Years, 
H Aey had g^ven to his Father in the thirteenth Year 
tfbb Reign. 

In the Twenty-fifth Year of Edward the Third, an 
Aft had been made for maintaining the Right of the 
hfUfi Kings to confer Ecclefiaftical Preferments and 
Bbidkes : It was reinforced and confirm'd afterwards ^^ ^ .^^^ p^^ 
If two others, one made in the Thirteenth of Richard ^^ihnftomKomM 
4 Second, the other to the fame EiTeft in the fecond of R-m^orc'd. 
imry the Fourth, forbidding all Perfons to accept any 
^tcant Biihopricks, or other Church Benefices, from the 
l^ipes of Rome^ or any other than the King, under Pe^ 
Idty of Banifhment, and Forfeiture of Lands and 
ioods to the Crown. And now by this Parliament 

1 the firft Year of Henry the Fifth, it was enafted, 

J « That 



KiatHtniyV. 



130 77je 'Parliamentary HisTort 

' That all thefe Siaiuies made againft ProviibM I 
' Hame, (hould be llriiflly obfcrv'd.' 

The Houfe of Commons prefented a large C 
plaint of the many Opprefllons, with which theOri 
rics aggrieved ihc People in the proving of WUli, 
llie like ; and of the Abufes they committed by pa 
ing Fornication and Adultery with pecuniary PeniB 
rftitionianhc and pcticion'd the King, that thel'e Grievances n 
Coicrooni. , be rcdrefs'd : Whofe Aniwer was, ' That be w 
' give Orders to the Bifhops to reftify 'em, and if! 

* neg,leded it, he would do it himfelf." TTieyliliB 
petition 'd, thai Cofts might be allow'd to the Koq 
and BurgelTes fummon'd to Parliament in the fourlo 
Year of Hewy the Fourth, though nothing was 1 
in that Seflion. The King reply'd, * That if « 

* View of the Records any the like Precedent 
■ be found, Allowance of their Fees fliould be ml. 
They alfo petiiion'd, that the Grounds fet outbj 
Perambulations of 'fi/wart/III. might be intirelydl 
refted ; to which the King anfwer'd, ' That fud 

* had juft Camplaints againft the Charters of theJ 

* reft fliould be beard.' And when the Commoiai 
ihcr aflc'd of the King a Declaration for furchargin 
fjheriffs, and petition'd that they might be alli/ 
Upon iheir Oaths in the Exchequer ; he prorai 
' That upon the Sheriffs coming before the CoB 
' and [he Barons of ihe Exchequer, they fliouid i 

* Remedy.' To another Petition, defiting that 
Barge, Ship, Boat, or other Veffel going on any Ril 
be taken for a Deodand, if a Perfon accidentally fell 
out of it be druvvn'd, the King reply'd, ' Thit 

* would take Advice about it." The like Anfvfec 
return'd to a Petition offered in favour of Mercha 
that they might freely bring into the Nation tl 
Goods of Arras, and all other Merchandize but i 
of the Staple; and paying their due Cuiloms, mil 
fell the fame as they pleafed to all Men, the Gt 
Merchants excepted. 

As the Commons thus made their Petitions to ! 
Kii^, either for the redreffiog of Grievance?, or fot' 
illablifliment of fuch Ordeisas they apprehended mi 
p[omcte the Publick Good ;. fo likewile many la 



Cf ENGLAND. 131 

enaAed to render the Nation rich, flourifliing and King Henry V* 
rofperous. It was enafled, ' That all Aliens fhould 
^qxut the Kingdom, and that all fuch Merchants A- 
3a}s as remainM ihould live in Englijh Families, on 
PaJD of Imprifonment at the King's Will ; alfo that 
- all the Livings of Priors Aliens, (b'efides fome which 
they excepted^ fhould be feized for the King's Ufe/ 
1^ another Adl it was ordain'd, ' That every Juror in 
all Inquifitions (hould be queftion'd upon his Oath, 
whether he, or any other had receiv'd any thing for 
^ his Ule, as to the Procels of the Bufinefs, and that. 
upon Conviftion by his Oath he (hould be try'd.* 
^ Aft was made about the Election of Perfons to^^^^] ^^ 
esve in Parliament ; by which it was appointed, pafs'd for the 
That none (hould be chofen Knights of the Shire, Pubiick Benefit 
who were notrefident in the County on the Day **^™^^"* 
when the Writ of Summons was dated ; nor any be . 
chofen Burgefles, but fuch as were Citizens or 
Townfmen and Freemen, dwelling in the Cities 
■ and Towns where they were elefted/ Another Aft 
nifi'd to inforce the obferving of fome ftormer Sta- 
tltes about the removing or (trailing Wears, Mills, 
■nnks. Stales and Kydels, which were a Nuifance to 
be Rivers. Another againfl the Forgers of falfe Deeds, 
••daining, * That the aggrieved Party (hould have his 
Suit, and recover Damages, and that the Perfon con- 
vift (hould make Fine and Ranfom at the King's 
Pleafure.* By another, Provifion was made againft 
lie Abufes that arofe from the Continuance of the Of- 
icers of Sheriffs, fuch as Under- Sheriffs, Qerks, Re* 
^vers and Bailiffs, in their Places, from Year to Year, 
^T from their interchangeable Removal out of one Of- 
Efcc into another : It was enafted therefore, * That 
~ thofe who (hould be Bailiffs of Sheriffs for one Year, 
^» (hould bear no fuch* Office for three Years following, 
^ excepting Bailiffs of Sheriffs which are inherite in 
^ their Office ; and that no Under-Sheriff, Sheriff's 
^ Clerk, Receiver or Bailiff, (hould be Attorney in any 
' of the King's Courts during their being in any fuch 
• Office.' By another Aft it was ordain'd, ' That in 
^iBvery original. Writ of Aftions Perfonal, Appeals 
\ god IndiSUnents, Additions (hould be m^de of the 

I a * Eftatc 



131 TJ}e Tarliatnentary History 

King Henry V. * Eftate or Degree, or Myftery of the Perfons, and ol 
' the Counties and Towns where they dweU.' And 
whereas the Friends and Kindred of thofe Rebels that 
were flain in the late Commotions in Wales, in the for- 
mer Reign, endeavour'd to revenge their Blood by 
Quarrels and Infults on the King's faithful Sobjefts, 
by Indiflments or Impeachments, or Threatnings of 
Vengeance : It was therefore ordain'd by another Sta- 
tute, ' That no fuch Qiiarre!, Aftion, or Demand be 
' made, on Penalty of paying to the injur'd Perfon 

* treble Damages, and of two Years Imprifonment 
' after the Conviflion.' There were Complaints alfo 
of Negledt in executing the Law made in the 13th 
Year of Richard the Second, forbidding any Alien 
Frenchman to have or enjoy any Benefice within this 
Nation, and requiring their Departure out of the Na- 
tion by a certain Time limited: And that when any 
Benefices became vacant by the Departure or Death of 
the Priors, Aliens or others, EngH/hmcn, fhould be put 
in. The Commons reprefented ' That contrary to 

* this AiS Alien Frenchmen did purchafe the King's 
' Letters Patents to be Denizens, that they might 
' enjoy the Benefices, which they did accordingly pof- 

* Tels, to the great Etemage of the Kingdom, by carry- 
'" ing away its Treafure, and betraying the King's 
' Counfels to his Enemies.' The King confidering 
ihcle Mifchiefs, pafs'd an Ait 10 enjoin the ftridl Obfer- 
vance and Execution of the former; alfo for clear- 
ing the Nation of thcfe Priors Aliens, thofe that were Con- 
ventual, and thofe who had Inftitution and Indudtion,' 
only excepted, on condition that they be Catholiclt, 
and find Surety not to difclole the Counfeis and Secrets 
of the Realm. Great Difturhances were produc'd by 
the coming over into fw^foW of confiderable Numbers 
of Inflmen., and begging Priefts, who were called 
Chamber- Dm«»j: Therefore, for the Kflablifhment of 
the Quiet here, and to re-people that forfaken Kingdom, 
it was ordered by Parliament, ' That they fhould de- 

* part berore the ift of Ncvfiber, on Forfeiture 
' of ibeir Goods, and Imprifonment at the King'l 

* Pleafure.' There was another Complaint exhibited, 

* Hiat whtreas all the Revenues, Profits, Fifhing 

' Cuftomi 



0/ ENGLAND. 133 

Cufloms of the Town and Marches or Cala's had King Henry r. 
been appointed by Edward HI. and Richard II. to 
be k^y'd by the Treafurer of Calais to fatisfy the 
\ ' Charge neceflary for its Defence, thefe Revenues 
•' had been diverted from their intended Ufe in the 
' * former Reign, and beftow'd by Letters Patents on 
\' feveial Gaptains, and other Perfons.' An A£t was 
pafiTd to revoke all thefe Patents and Grants, and to 
tfpK3fpmxt the Revenues and Profits of that Town to 
Iheir firft Purpofe. 
Whilft the Parliament fat at JVeftminfter^ the Con- 
'-'fDcation of the Clergy, according to the ufual Cuitom 
^ofdiofe Times, was aflembled at St Paulas ; and were 
: anch more adive in their Proceedings than the other. 
' lh$mas Anmdil^ Archbifhop of Canterbury j being fen- The aergy fth- 
' £ble how zealous the King was for the Church, thought vp the King to 
^ tm the fitted Opportunity to root out thofe Heretical n!*"^^!! ^''r 
|. Poaraiet, which had long been a grievous Thorn in i p.^^iJ',;''^^ 
i' the Sides of the Clergy. He hoped that the King's the LuiiarUs. 
' Youth and natural Couragp, concurring with his Reli- 
! gjous Inclinatbn, would more earnellly engage him in 
iWorky by which he might merit, at once, both the Fa- 
vour of God and of his People. By the Help of twelve 
laquifitors, which the Prelate had fent out the Year 
before, he had collected a large Bundle of Accufations, 
which were afterwards digefted into no lefs than 246 
Articles, againft the Principles and Doflrines of the 
UBards, On' the Canvafing of thefe, in Cob- 
Tocatbn, it was, at length, decreed, 'That it would 

* be impoffible to extirpate the DoiEhines of WickliffcT^ 
\ * unlels certain Great Men, who were the profcfled 
f \ Abettors and Maintainers of them, were taken o£ 
' • That Sir Jobn^ Oldcaftley Lord Ccbham^ being the 

* Ctuef of them, fliould be iirit dealt withal ; and 
' that, without Delay, a Procefs fliould be ilTued out 

* againft him, as a mxA notorious Heretick ( j}/ And,, 
becauie the faid Lord was in great Favour with the 
Cing, for his Condudt and Valour, it was thought ad- 

I 3 vifcable 

(m) TTus Sir John Cohbam had been principally conccrn'd in bringiir 
■I a Bill in tjie laA Reign for reducing the exorbitant Revcauei of t 
Ckifj f The worft Kind of Herefy he could be guilry oL 



At LeiccAer, 




134 7he Parliamentary History 

vifeable to acquaint his Majefty with their Defigni 
and the juft Occafion of ihem ; that, having obtaiue, 
his Leave, their Proceedings might be more (ucce^sFl^ 
and give lefs Offence (b), 

Thefe Things being fettled in Convocation, an i 
cident happen'd, which pave the Clergy a much gread 
er Handle 10 work the Downfal of thcfe new RefiMf 
mers ; who, being optnly abetted by fome, but fecretly 
by many more greatMen, who wanted to be fliaring 
the Revenues of the Church amongft them, were 
become exceeding dangerous to the Clergy. And, in the 
very firll Year of this King an lnfurte£lion of thefe 
Reformers began in and about Londun, Jieaded by Sir 
yehn Olihajili and Others, which might have proved of 
ill Confequcnre, had not ihe King himfelf, by his Vi- 
gilance and Conduft, fupprefied it. This unidviied 
Step of ihe Lsllards gave the young Monarch a warm 
Eefentment againft them, and made him judge that 
their Principles were equally defttuftive to Church and 
State. 
1. A Parliament was called to meet at Leicejler on the 
30th of April^ 1414. The Abridgment of the Records, 
has put the Summons to this Parliament under the firft 
Year of this King; but the Statute-Books, and our 
older Hiftotians and Chronicles, place it in the Second. 
The firft k£t that we find to be done at it, was a very 
fevere Sratiiie made againft the Followers of Wiciliffi'i 
Doflrine, whereby it was (^)enafled, "That whoever 

* read the Scriptures in Englijh, which was then cal- 
' led ff^uiliffi's Learning, fhould forfeit Land, Cattle, 

* Goods and 'Life, and be condemn'd as Hereticks to 
' God, Enemies to the Crown, and Traitors to the 

* Kingdom ; that they fhould not have the Benefit of 

* any Sanftuary, tho' this was a Privilege then granted 
' to the moft notorious Malefaftors ; and that if they 

* continu'd obftir.ate, or relaps'd after Pardon, they 

* fliould firft be hang'd fcr Tteafon againft the King, 

* and then burn'd for Hetciy againft God,' The Cler- 

gy 

f'jj WALciNOFtAM.P. 3SJ. Daniii. In Kt ■'HIT, P. 309. Sce 

■tro FuLiit'i Church- Hiftns, ind CollIii'i BccUfMnt Hifient 

P.633, ar/^,. ',-" 

(e) Siatiiia lU Ltrgr, Ar). >. HcAi V. 



0/ ENGLAND. 155 

laving obtainM this Adl, it was foon put in Exccu- ^^ Henry T. 
; many* were taken, and fuiFer'd Death upon it, 
others fled in great Numbers into Germany ^ Bohe^ 
» France^ Spain, Portugal^ and into the Mountains 
\totlattdj Wales^ and Ireland. 
everal A£b of publick Benefit were likewife pafs'd 
Lhb Seffion, vi%. An A£t to remedy the Abufes 
imitted in diverting the Goods and Revenues of 
Ipitals to other Ufes than what the Founders in- 
led. Alfo, an Aft againft the Followers of Wick- 
» who were called Hereticks and Lollards ; in 
ch it was required, * That the Chancellor, Trea- 
irtr, Jufticcs of the one Bench with the oher. Ju- 
ices of Peace, SherifTs, Mayors, Bailiffs, and all 
Jier Officers, {hould take an Oath to employ their 
ower to extirpate all Manner of Herefies, com- 
lonly called Loll^frdies^ within the Placts where 
icy cxercis'd their Offices : And that all Perfons con- , 
ift of Herefy, and left to the Secular Power, (hould 
>r1eit all their Lands and Goods to the King/ 
ewife an A£t againft Riots and unlawful Aflem- 
}, enjoining, ' That fuch Rioters as were attainted 
F great and heinous Riots, (hould fuffer at leaft 
tie whole Year's Imprifonment without Bail or 
lainprize ; and that they who were attainted of 
Her Riots, (hould fuffer Imprifonment as long as 
le King and his Council thought fit ; and that the 
ines on fuch Rioters (hould be raifed to greater Sums 
lan they were ufually, for the Support of the Cofts . 
' the Juftices, and other Officers.' There was ano* 
• Aft (d) pafs'd in this Parliament, by which the 
^ries Alien, who depended on fome Capital Abbies 
Normandy^ that received the Profits of them, (hould 
intirely at the King's Difpofal : For the Houfe of 
nmons confider'd, that by thefe Abbies beyond 
, poffelTmg the Lands and Revenues of thefe Alien 
)ries, great Sums of Money were carried out of the 
^n ; and they forefaw, that when the War was 
■H^ith France, all the SubjcNSls of England who 

t I 4 .had 

s 

'*. Statute Book, ¥at b meationed ampnf 
P» z, Ma,' 



1^6 The. Tarliamentary History 

KlDf HcDty V, had Lands and Eflates in that Kingdom would be de 
The AUen Prio- P^'^'*^ °^ ^^^^ ' "^^^Y therefore made this A<5t to diP 
ti(iv(Hedinihtponefs thefe Foreign Monafteries of thefe Prioms AI- 
Kini- ien, and to veft them in the King, who having thu; 

the Powerof difpolingof ihem as he pleas'd, foon af- 
. ter by Letters Patent dated June 14, gave two ol 

them, (one of PaunfeU in Effex, the other of Welh in 
Nerfalky which belong'd to the Abbey of Si Stephen't 
in Normandy) to John Wodehoufe-, Elq; and requir'd 
from him no other Aclcnowledgment than to prelent a 
Rofe to the King yearly on the Feaft of John the 
Baptiji. 
, ' The Houfe of Commons having complain'd of the 
evil Adminiilration of Juilice, and undue Goverment 
In Shropjhire^ and that by fuch Negligencies more Mur- 
ders and Robberies were commiiied there than in 
any other County oi England -, the King, to remedy 
thefe Diforders, fent Edward Dulce of Ybik into that 
County, to fee fuch a Grand Jury return'd, as would 
effeflually inquire into fuch Outrages, and puniQi fe- 
verely all (hat were guiliy of them. 

But, notwiihftanding this A(X againft the Lollards^ 

it was in this Parliament, at Lmelitr, that the Storm 

which had long been railing againft the Clergy, had 

like to have broke out to fome Purpofe ; had not the 

Wic and Policy of Henry Chtcheh/, then Archbifhop of 

Canterb!iiy,Vf'i\o fiicceeded Arundel, diverted the Danger. 

Anoilitr At- '^^^ Houfe of Commons had again put the King in 

tempt of iha Mind, of what had been delired in Parliament four 

C<)mmoni>i=innyp3|.j j^fore, about Convening the Lands and Pofleffi- 

K««"^ "ons of the Clergy to the Service of the State {e). 

' This Bill, fays an old ftaunch Proteftant Writer, 

• made the fat Abbots to fweai ; the proud Priors to 

• frown ; the poor Pricrs to curie ; the .filly Nuns to 

• weep, and, indeed, all her Merchants to fear that 
' Babtl would down (/").' For, at this very Time 
[he Clergy were more apprehenfive of their Danger 
than ever, fince they knew not what the aflivc and bold 
Spirit of a young Prince, agitated by Counfels- which 
had a natural Tendency to increafe bis o^vu Greatnefs, 

niighi 

(0 F*"i*w'»Cir«t, Fol.clwi. Sec btfore, P, li*. 

{/; a*ii.*i »f«. p. 7*. 



tinlHcntjT,^ 

4 



r 0/ E N G L A N D. 137 

■<«»ight produce againft themj and, confequently, they KJn|H«itjT,^ 
^^rere in a terrible Conftcrnation, They once thought of 
^^Sacing the King in their Intereft, by the voluntary Pre- 
»^fent of a large Sum of Money ; bur, fome of the wifer 
'^^Sifhops confidering that fuch an Appearance of Bribery 
' "^vould be indecent for Pcrfons of their Charader, and 
■ ^acpofe them to the Hatred and Scorn of the People, 
^His Propofalwas rejefled. And as it had been conclud- 
ed » in the laft Synod at London, that the moll effeflual 
^^ourfe 10 avert the impending Storm, was to find the 
■•^iflg fome other Bufinefs to employ the Vigour of his 
^^Vaurage> which might otherwife prove dangerous to vrhEch » ret •• i 
^*em ; it was therefore judged neceilary to turn Kis Me ^i mnoipt- . 
T^houghts to War ; and to Ibllicite his Ambition l>y w^fj^^"'"* 
^smindinghim of the Crown of France, defcended to p, 
^m from Edward II. one of hia Royal Progenitors. 
-"V a Reprefentation of the juft R ight the King had to 
ttiat Claim, it was hoped his enterpriiing Spirit might 
*>e ftirred up to demand the Crown of Fmncf^ as the 
■^Jjndoubied Heir, and, upon Refufal, to attempt the 
■ccovery of it by Arms. And, to make thefe Coun- 
tls more prevalent, they, alio, agreed to make an Offer 
"agreatSumofMoncy tofupply thenecellaryExpences 
iheWar. Alio, to give up all the Alien Priories in the 
igdom, to the Number of ito, who were polTel- 
of Lands that would confiderably increafc the Rc- 
lues of the Crown. 

Thefe Refolutions were foon after put in Execution ; 

r, we are told, that in this very Parliament, at Lt'i- 

^4tfier, the Archbifliop of Canterhurf rofc up, in the 

Houfe of Lords, ajid addrelled the King in Words to 

this Purport f^): 

' We all know. Great Sir, with what Royal Wif- The Art)ibin,cp 

* dom and Care you have eltablifh'd the Peace and of Canterbury's 

* Profperiiy of 5'our Pet-pic, and we all eniov the ^P'f*'' ,'"/"?"' 
i Tjt /r t 11 /"■ „•'',., of the bid Wif. 

* Jjluungs of your excellent (jovernment : But while 



* your Defipns and Actions have been directed to o 

* common Good, wc have not done any thing for the 

' Increafc 

(f) There Speethei, in Piiliimrnt, %n nil printed, at length, in 
HAtL'i Cbn-ick, Fol. iiivi, &i. and ^te but modermi'd by Mi 
iCaBdvh. bit, i\h. HsUiniJhead, P. 545. B'mii, P. lot, ffe. 
Sptii Uitoo, P, Caf , 



^ 



138 Tloe 'Parliamentary H i stort 

Ki«| H«u7 V, ' Increafc of your Empire ; and among all rhe De- 
' bates in this Honouraijlc AITembly (o make Laws for 

* the Security of the Subjects Liberties and Privileges, 
' we have negleflcd to confider how we may advance 
' the Greatnefs of oar King, and in him that of our 
' Country too. Now, fince 1 owe all my Foriune to 

* your Favour, Gratitude, as well as the Duty of a 
' Subject, obliges me lo propound what I think may 
' promote the Honour of fo gracious a Sovereign, and 
' enlarge his Power. You adminiflcr Juftice to your 

* People with a noble Equity, you are illuftrious in the 

* Arts of a peaceful Government ; but the Glory of a 

* Great King confiils not fo much in a Reign of Serenity 
' and Plentyj in great Treafures, in magnificent Palaces, 

* in populous and fair Cines, as in the Enlargement 

* of his Dominions; efptcially when the Ailertion of 

* his Right calls him out to War, and Juftice, not 

* Ambition, authorizes all his Conquefts. Your Ma- 
' jefty ought to wear the Crown of Frame by a Right 
' defcending to You from Edward III. your illuftrious 

* Predeceflbr. • That valiant King openly challenged 
' his Right by Ambaliadors, and when the Frtmh 

* endeavoured to elude it by a pretended SalUk Law, 
' he bravely attempted to conquer by Arms what he 

* could not obtain by a juft Treaty, You have the 
'fame Title 10 demand that Crown, and the fame 
' Reafons to make War, upon a Refufal. I doubt 
' not but they will oppofe their imaginary Salkk Law 
' in like Manner againft your Claim ; but I know ve- 
' ry well, that as they conttadift themlelves in af- 

* ligning the Original of this Law, fo if it were granted 

* that there is fuch a one, yet France is not concem'd 

* in it. 'Tis in vain to tell us, that 'twas made by 
' Pharamohd the Founder of their Monarchy, as if 

* he could be the Founder of a Law which had no 

* N,ame nor Being 'till above four hundred Years af- 

' ler his Death ; For then it was that Charles the J 

* Great returning fiom the Corqueft of Saxsny, Pwt I 

* of his Army pafs'd the Sa!a, and fcated themfelves | 
' between that River and the Elb, and from the Name ; 

, * of the former were called S^dipie Gauh. This new 

* Colony detefting the vicious Manneis of the German 

* Womenj 



0/ E N G L A N D. 139 

Women, made a Law, that none of that Sex fliould King Hemj v. 
inherit Lands within the Bounds of-lheir little Go- 
vernment, But what is all ihis to France? How 
will the French perfuade us, tRat by virtue of this 
Law the Crown of that Kingdom muft not defcend 
to any Daughter of their Kings, if they 60 not firft 
prove their Country to be fiiuated between ihofe two 
iSerfian Rivers ? But tho' all were true, which thejr 
feport of this boafted Law, yet why fhould they ufe 
« aa an Argument againft the Right of our Kings, 
when they never made it any Bar in the SuccelRon oi- 
their own ? Pepin, who by depofing ClAlderic \\l. 
mounted the Throne, was acknowledg'd ihe next 
Heir as defcended from the Princeis BlitbUday Daugh- 
ter of C/aMajr the firft ; and Hugfj Capet, who u- 
furp'd the Crown from Charles Duke of Lorain the 
next Male Heir, to give himfelf the Colour of a 
Title, alTerted that he fprung from the Princefs Lin- 
gardoy the Daughter of Clmrlemaign. Thus Lewis 
the Ninth too, whom they honour as a Saint, neg- 
lefting the precarious Title of High Capet his Grand- 
father, could fufficiently falisfy hisConicience and the 
Nation by deriving his Right from Qiieen Ifabella 
his Grandmother, as defcended from the Princefs £r- 
mivgarde. Daughter and Heir of Charles Duke of Lo- 
rain, whom Hug)) Capet had depriv'd of his King- 
dom and Life. Bvit were it certain that this Salict 
Law had from the Beginnings of the Monarchy been 
eftablifh'd and inviolably obferv'd in France, ye^ what 
Obligatbn can a Law have, which is contrary to the 
Commands of God, and the Cuftoms of all other 
Nations, and fo oflenJs againft all the Rules of Juf- 
tice and Reafon ? God declares, that if a Man died 
without Sons, the Inheritance lliouid defcend to the 
Daughter 1 And there never was a Law among ary 
People in the World, which excluded the Daughters 
from the Rights of Children. The French alone vio- 
late the Statutes of Heaven,- and flight all the Laws , 
that are in force on Earth, that they may devolve 
the R^ht of their Crown on whom they pleafe. 
But it is your undoubted Right, my Sovereign, and 
all isxt Powers of France will be too weak to oppofe 
' your 



I40 Tloe Tarltamentary History 

ii|HeiuyV.|* your PoiTeflion, if you do but refolve to vindicate if- 
' Confider therefore ihc juft Title which you have t» 

* this Crown, devolv'd on you by Queen Ifabella, youc 
' Great Grand-moiher, Sifter and Heir to three fuc- 
' ceflive Kings of ^ranf?, wlio died wiihoutChildren» 

* and take up noble Arms to aflerr fo juft a Caufe! 

* Advance your Standard into France, and with afllir'd 

* Hopes of Viflory march to conquer thofe Dotni- 

* nions which are your own by Inheritance ! There is 

* no true Englijhman but is ready to devote hiS Life 

* and Foriunc to fo glorious a Service of his King. 

* And in full Perfuanon of the Juftice of the War, we 
» the Clergy have given fuch a Sum of Money to 
' maintain it, as was never granted to any of your 

* Predeccflbrs, and will join all our Prayers for tlw 
' Succefs of your Arms.' 

When the Archbifhop had ended his Speech {h), and 
the King feem'd mov'd with it, Nevil Ejrl of U^eji- 
moreland, who was High-Warden of the Marches to- 
ward Scotland, apprehending that the Country com- 
mitted to his Government would be cxpos'd to the In- 
curlions of that Nation, if the King fliould draw his 
Forces out of England for this Expedition, thus fpoke 
to diHuadc the War. 
ch ii op- ' Tho, faid he, I freely acknowledge myfelf of the 

ii.-.u.T,.t .^j:^ ^^ j^^^j ^^^ Archbifliop, as to the 

II bc,gain'd in conquering Frame, and 
the Advantages that may arife from the Acquifition of 

* fuch a iiourifliing Kingdom ; yet I cannot but ad- 
' vife, that our Arms fhould be firft turn'd on Scotland^ 

* that by fubduing that People to the Etigli/h Dominion, 
' the whole Ifland may be brought under one Govem- 

* ment. When all our Strength and Forces ihall be 

* united, when there fhall be no Enemies to difturb 
' us within the Boundsof this our little World, fcparat- 
' ed from the other by the Ocean, then will be the 
' proper Time to confider of foreign Conquefls, and 
' how we may extend the Englijh Empire abroad, 
' which, while we are unfecur'd at home, we cannot 
' attempt with any reafonable. Hopes of Succefe. It 

* has therefore been the conftant PraCticc of wife Go- 
' vernmcni^ 




1 



N G L A N D. 141 



CiniHteijT*^ 1 



Teramenis, who have profper'd in enlarging their KintHwuyT*^ 
Dominions, firft 10 fubdue thofe People which bor- 
der'd on ihcm, before they advanc'd iheir Arms againft 
the more remoie. By this Method were the yfj^riany ' 

Perftan and Grecian Monarchies raifed to fuch Height 
■ of Power, that a great Part of the World was forx:ed 
' to bow to ihem. Thus the Romans eftablifh'd a 

* larger Empire than any of the former ; but they 
' would have fail'd in the Attempt, if they had in- 
' vaded more diftant Nations, before they had fubdii'd 
'their Neighbours: Bui when by conquering the 
' Samnites, the Volfci, the Fidenalu^ and other People 
' around them, they had made themfelves intire Ma- 
' ftcrs of all Italy, they foon carried their vidtorious 
' Arms thro' moft Parts of the Earth. But what need 

* I argue from Examples? It b reafon fufficient againft 

* 1 War with Framt^ that whenever to invade that 

* Kingdom we fhall draw the Strength out of our 
' own', the Ststi our ancient and inveterate Neigh- 
' hours will bring Fire and Sword into the Bowels of 
' our unguarded Country, And to put this paft Que- 
' ftion,I will only remind you of the old League be- 
'tween that Nation and Frami, by which, if either 
' of thi:m are invaded, they are bound mutually to 
' aflift one another. We have found them fo punc- 
' tual to their Agreement hitherto, that whenever we 
' have tranfporied our Armies into Frame, the Scots 
' have enter'd our Country wiih dreadful Devaftations- 
' If then we muft have a War with either of thcfc 
' People, let it be with Scotland, where all Things 

* ptomife to us an eafier Vidtory, their King being an 
' honourable Priforer in our Court, and the unfeafon- 
' able Severity of the Duke of Mba'iy, who governs in 
' his Ahfence, having thrown that Nation into difmal 
' Convuitions, But to invade France, what a vail 
' Army is neceflary ; what immenfe Sums of Money 
' to raife and pay the Soldiers, and what a prodigious 
' Fleet to tranfport them?" 

The Earl having ended the Duke of Exeter (i), g^^ ,, ■ ^^ _ 
the King's Uncle, who having been defign'd by his Fa- ported bv ihl 
ther^i="fE«tcri 

(I) HtllhfJ/jfaJ, Bintdi, &c. calltiim fo ; but he wni ih 




A 



141 ThTar/iametttary Hi ST OKY 

KineHenij V. tfier for the Church, had received a learned Education 
in the Univerfities of Italy, thus fpoke in Anfwer. 
' If 1 did not know, that the moft effeftual Courfc 

* to deftroy any Mifchief, is to cpt off the Root 
' which feeds it ; and if Experience had not taught all 
' of us that Franee is the Spring which has nourifti'd 
' a perpetual growing Enmity in the Hearts of the 
' iSrt/i againft us, I fhould advife that the French might 

* be the laft with whom we make War. But lince 

* they have always been induftrious to render Scotland 

* an irreconcileable Enemy, and to foment in the Minds 

* of that Nation a fierce Haired and Defire of RcvcBge j 

* fince they have on all occafions ftirr'd 'em up to 

* invade us, and by their Affiftance have enabled them 

* to do ib ; it is certainly the bell Counfel, that by 

* a vigorous War upon France we fhould ftrike at the 

* Head of all thefe Mifchiefs : For if that Kingdom t» 

* conijuer'd, either the Scots will no more be our Ene» 
' mies, their Haired being no longer kept alive and 

* chcrifli'd by the old Fomenters of it ; or if they 
' refufe to incorporate into one People with us, yat 
' deftitute of Succour from that Nation, they muH 

* without any lafting War ftibmlt to our Power. How 
' will they be in a condition to fight us, when they 

* ftiall want Arms to put into their Soldiers Hands, or 
' Officers to lead 'em, all Supplies from France being 

* cut off? And whither fiiall they have recourfe for 
' Aid, when that People is fubdu'd by us ? Not to 
' Denmark, whofe King is Brqiher-in-Law to ours; 

, • not to Portugal and Caftile, for the Kings of both 

' thofe Nations are allied to our Sovereign ; not to 
' Italy at fo great a diftance ; not to Germany or Hun- 
' g^'y^, which aje in League with us. Let us then 

* begin the War v/'vh Frame, (incc we (hall conques 
' two Nations with one Victory ; and fince a rich, 
' fruitful and pleafent Country will be the Reward of 
' the Conqueror. What tho' the Scots may invade 
' us, when our King with his Army is abfent f Their 

* Incutfions furely will not be fo dangerous, but that the 

* Earl of fPi/lrnoreland, who is Warden of the Marches, 
' with a few feleft Troops, will be able not only to 
' make fiead againft them, but to give them a Re- 
' pulfe.' • Th* 



0/ E N G L A N D. 143 

The Duke's Arguments prevail'd with the King andKbgHmyV. 
his Brothers, who being ^11 young and ardent of Glory, 
were impatient to lignalize their Courage againfl the 
old Enemies of their Country : And thelame gallant 
Spirit diffuling itfel/ thro' the Minds of the other 
Nobles, they all dedar'd for a War with ^raace ; yf^, -^^ ^^^^^^ 
which being thus refolv'd on, the Parliament was pro- accoidlinij. , 
rogucd to If'e/iminjier. 

In this Parliament the King created his Brothers 
Jcin, Duke of Bedferd; and Humphry, Duke ofG/o- 
a/ier ; and Richard, Brother to the Duke of 2'sri, wai 
alfo made Earl_pf Cambridge (I). 

We have no Account of the Proceedings in this for- 
mer Seflion of Parliament, at Leicejler; nor of the Pro- 
rogation of it, as above, in Cettcn's Records ; but a new 
Parliament, which he fays, was called to meet at ffi^- 
minjler, ibis Year, falls in exactly with the Hiftories, 
and goes on regularly wiih ihem for the future; the 
Vfnis bearing Date September 26, to be holden on the 
OSaves of Si. Mm tin following. 

It having been our Cuftom hitherto, to exhibit aju^^jj ; 
till of the Temporal Lords, once or twice in a King's 1414,, ' "" 
lUign, we fhall therefore give the Names of the Peers *' Weihninflcr. 
fummoned to this Parliament (m). 

rHO MAS, Duke of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of 
Clarence, and Earl of ffarwict. 
Albtmarle. Richard de Vere^ Earl of 

7«Aa, Duke of Bedford, and Oxford. 

Earl of Kendall. Thomas^ Earl ofSa/tibury. 

Humphrey, Duke of Gls- John, Earl-Marihal. 
tejler^ and Earl of Pern- Thomas, Earl of Dcrftl. 
broie. Michael de la Pole, Earl of 

Edward, Duke of TcrL Suffolk. 

Richard, Earl of Cambridge. Ralph Neviie, Earl of fVeJl- 
Edward Courtney, Earl of mcreliyid, 

Devonjliire. Edward, Lord Charhsn of 

Shcmas, Earl of Anmdel. Pewis. 

Edmonds Earl of March. miliam. Lord Clintun. 

■ Thomas, 

M HAti't CifB-M, Fd. tnri. J. Siimc, P. 345. 
(mlCoTTOM'ijttrjitrBWS/, P. 538, Dbopah'i Sirnm™ " Pjr. 

•>M"'j f. 39V 



1 44^ 7he '''Parliamentary History 

tHeniy V. Thmai, Lord de la War. Rkhard, Lord Grey, of Ce- 
Henry, 'Lord Strupe of Ma- da/mre. 

fliam. Reginald, Lord Gfey^ of 

Hinry, Lord Fitzbugh, Ruibyn. 

William, Lord Ferrers^ of Pc'^r, Lord Mauley. 

Grchy. ' William, Lord Zmhf of 

Thomas, Lord Morley. Hirringtvarth, 

High, Lord Burnel. thumas. Lord Canals. 

Thomas, Lord Berkley^ of William, Lord Botrtaux, 

Berkliy. J^hn, Lord Latitfier, 

John, Lord /F^/to. Richard, Lord Strange. 

Ralph, Lord Cromwel. Robert, Lord Poynirigs. 
Ralph, Lord GreypcL Gilbert, Lord rsiifrj/. 
Thomas, Lord Dacre, of 2''^«> Lord Clifford. 

Giljland. John, Lord 7d/iw, of /ar- 

Rsbert, Lord Harrington. nival. 
Robert, Lord Wdloughby. 
John, Lord ici'4 of 7>VA- No Lord-Warden of tfie 

m^/yS, Ciiigue-Ports in this Lift. 

On Nivember the 19th, the Parliament met, and the 
King being feated on his Throne, in the Painted Cham- 
ber of h s Palace at Wejlminjler \ by his Command, 
the Bifhop of IVinehefler his Uncle, and Chancellor of 
Sngland, opened the SeUion by a Speech ; wherein he 
declared, 'That his Majefty would, that the Church, 

* with al! Corpomiions und Perfons (hould enjoy their 

* former Liberties. That the King not only endeavour- 

* ed to. govern the Realm wifeh', but he was alfo 
' ftrengthning himfelf to recover his due Inheritance, 

' which, tho' belonging to, yet had been a long Time , 

* withheld from his Crown ; which Claim he was re- 
■ folved to profecute eVen unto Death. And for the 

* attempting fiich a mighty Exploit, great Provilion 

* was required.' 

Then taking for his Subjeft, Dwti Tempus habemui 
tperamur bonum ; he inferred from thence, * That to 
' every natural Difpolition two Kinds of Times, or 
' Seafons, were limited ; for Inftance, as to Trees, ono 
' Time of growing, and another Time of bloflbming 
' and bearing Fruit ; to Man, one Time for Labour,. 
' and another for Reft ; to Princes, the Heads of Men, 



0/ E N G L A N D. 145 

a Time for Peace, and another lor War. That the KingHeniy v. 
King finding his People in great Eafe and Peace, had 
therefore the betler opportunity to attack the Ene- 
my i to which he applied, Dum Tempui. That to 
fuch an high and noble Enterprise, lome Things 
were abfolute!/ neceflary, as good Advice, Obedience 
of his Siibjefls, and a chearfu! Relief Item t'lem. 
That they ought to grant a larger Subiidy, confidcr- 
ing that their Prince and only Patron, would go 
in Perfon againil the Enemy, and freely expofe his 
Life to all the Dangers of ttie War j and concluded • 
with defiring the Commons to choofe a Speaker, and 
prefent him the next Day to the King.' According- Tboms! chau- 
ly, they elefled Thomas Chaucen Efq; and prefented him "^'l^^' ''^°* 
in the ufual Form. 

The Commons then proceeded to confider of the 
Supplies, and by the Aflent of the Bifliops and Lords 
granted to the King two whole Tenths^ and two whole a Supplj' voted. 
Fifteenths, to be levied on the Laity. 

It was enafted likewife, ' That the King by his 
' Council, fliou Id have Power to make Ordinances con- 
' ceratng ihe Coin, which fliould cominae till the 
* next Parliament ' 

Henry Percy^ Grandfon of the late Earl of Northum- 
Urland, and Son to Htnry Hoifpur^ (lain at the Battle 
of 5A«HyJvr)', being now of Age, and a Prifoncr in 
Scotland, prefenied his Declaration to the Parliament ; 
in which he fhe w'd that the King h.id reftor'd him to Henrj Pmj tet 
the Honour which his I'"ather had forfeited by his. Re- forcd lo his Ti-- 
bellion, and had made him Earl of Nsrihumberland : '™ "' 
He therefore requir'd a general Reftiiution to it in 
Blood', and that he might be reftor'd to all the Heredi- 
taments which were intail'd, with free Entiy in all of 
ihcm, refetving to the King the Lands of Fee-fimplc. 
The King granted all to him, on condition that before 
his Entry into any of the faid Lands, he fhould, by Mat- 
ter of kecord in Chancery, prove the Lands intail'd : 
And his Majefty appointed Sir Robert Urn fTevile to treat 
with the Siotj about Percy's Delivery, who, by the 
^t\ oi Nsrihumberiiiid his Grandfather, hadbeenleft 
with them as an Hoftage, He confirmed ?\ioXo John 
Duke of Bedfirdj and to his Beits Male, the Caftle, 
K Earid-- 




J 



nil V ■ 



146 TheTat^l'iaifienttityllisrowY 

' Riot Htnry V. Earldom, Honour, and Seigniory of R^chmsmU whicF^ 

Ralph tail of IVtJlmoriland held during his Life. 

AflsforiheRf- 111 ihis Parliament it wasenaded, ' That fuchPer — 

guiaiion o( ju- « fons Only fliould be made Julliccs of Peace, by thtf 

flico o tare j , /y vice of the Chancellor, and of the King's Coun — 

* cil, who dwell in ihe County in which they were K» 
' extrcife iheir Ofike.' 

Thai whereas, contrary to i!ie Statute made in the 
Thirty-fixih Year of Edward III. forbidding any Parifix 
Prieft, or Yearly Prieft, to take more than five or fi:c 
Marks for their Annual Sii|->eQd, the Pricfts refus'd to 
ferve under Ten Pound, Twelve Marks, or Ten Mark* 
ThcCkrfyi at ihe lea ft ; li was ordain'd, ' That no Yearly 
' Chaplain ibouid take above feven, nor any Pariih, 
' Prieft, reain'd to be a Curate, Kiore than eight, but 
' by Licence of the Ordinary, fo as the whole Sum. 
' exceeded not nine Marks.' 

In confidtration of the Abufes that arofe from fuch. 
Perfons ferving on the Inqueft and Jury, as [having no- 
thing to live upon, nor to lofe when convided of Per- 
jury) gave falfe Verditts contrary to their Confciences^ 
an Adt was made, ' That no Perfon who had not in 

* Land or Tenements forty Shillings yearly, fhouli 
AnJjuTic!. ' ^^ admitted on an Inqueft upon Trial of Life anJ 

' Deatii, nor on zny other Inqueft in Pleas Re^l or 
' Perfonal, of which the Debt and Damajies declar'J 
' amounted to forty Matb, but upon ihe Parties con- 
' ceni'd chjllenging liim ihould be rejcdled. 

hy Auihoriiy ol this Parliament, Richard, who was 
Son and Heir 10 the Earl of Camiritige, beheaded at 
Ssiiihampton for High-Trcafon the Year before, was 
rellored to Blood, and created Duke of York. This 
Prince was the fole Heir to the Houfe of that Name, 
and fome lime after married Cialy Daughter to the 
K.11I of ifejlmerckiid, by whom he had Henry, who 
difdypungi ^Ji^drt/, afterwards King ; Edmundy "Ezsl 
o^ Rutland; Annt, Dutchcfi! of Exeier ; EUzabelbt 
Dutchefs of Suffolk ; George, Duke of Clarence ; RU 
<bard, Duke of Gkcejier, afterwards King ; and Mar- ' 
inrii, Dmctiels of Burgundy {b). 

The 

(i) FA»iAN'iCi««. Fol. CLXXIIU. 



(y E N G L A N D. 147 

The Kln§ had been fufficiently moved with the King Henry v» 
eafons given in the Parliament at Leicejler for making 
8 Qaim to the Crown of France^ and his great Gou- 
ge and Spirit now fpurred him on to attempt the 
cmqueft of that Kingdom, if his Demands were not 
cepled. The Subfidies granted, by the Clergy and 
tit/y to enable the King to begin this great Enter- 
ifce, amoimtedy in the whole, to a very large Sum ; 
d, if we may believe an old Hiftorian, to no lefs than 
ree hundred tboufand Marks Sterling. By which 
satfi great Levies of Men were made, fuccefsfuUy, in 

Parts of the Kingdom. 

But, to gain a more fpecious Pretence for War, it 
ft necefEtfy fitft to offer Peace ; tho' upon fuch Terms 
Hmry knew well enough would not be accepted. 
tere had been fome time before a Treaty of Marriage 
: on foot between this young Monarch and the 
iiiceis of Francey who is faid to" have been a Paragon 
Beauty ; but now Ibnry much enlarged his Demands 
th the Princefs ; and by his EmbAfladors to the 
mvt of France^ infifted on a Reditu tion of all thofe 
ovinces, which his Predeceflbrs had ever enjoyed in 
It Kingdom. How defirous foever the French Couf t 
LS of an Alliance with England^ and marrying their 
ncefs to a young and potent King, yet the reftoring 
fc Provinces, was a very difagreeable Article, and 
jtd never be reconciled to their Politicks. 
Accordingly, all Treaties of Peace were broke oiFThe French War 
jn it, and the King of England made mighty Prepa- profecuted witht 
bns, both by Sea and Land, to invade France, 'and ^^^^ ^'^our- 
)xt Ms Right to that Kingdom by the Ratio ultima 
fum. 

To the particular Writer of this King's Life (r), and 
iie more general Hiftorians, we muft refer for a De- 
^)tion of the glorious Exploits performed by this mag- 
limoos Hero in France-^ of which, the ever-memo- 
le Battle of Agincourt has employed their Heads and 
Iff to Ibrac purpofe* After Henry! % Return to Eng- 
s/, and his triumphant Entry into his capital City 
London^ he prefently called a Parliament j the Writs 
' . K 2 for 

; ne mfivrj of the Retgn of Henry V. King of Eo^Uod, fy 
GMwb, F9I4 load* 170^ 



1 48 The 'Parliamentary H i s t o r.t 

KIbi Henry V. for whIch were dated fanuary iift, and returnable the 
iCth of March following. In the Jirriigmeni ef Ho- 
ards we find, Ihat Jehn Duke of Brdfordy the King's 
Brother, who had been left Regent in his Abfence, cal- 
led two Parliaments ; but there is nothing added, ex- 
cept the Names of the Peers who were fummoned to 
them. It is remarkable, however, that there are not 
twenty Lords named in each Summons ; the reft, we 
may well fuppofe, were gathering of Laurels with their 
heroic Sovereign in France. 
AnroBtgni 3. Ths Parliament met at TVefiminJleT on the i6th of 
>4i5- March 1415, when the King iilting in his Royal 

*' ^'■*'""'''"' Throne, in the P^(Kr^(faara*^r of the Palace, com- 
manded the Bifhop QiWincheJier^^^K Lord Chancellor, 
to open the Caufe of the S immons ; whe, in the Prc- 
fence of the three Eilaies of the Realm, firft made the 
ufual Declaration, that it was the King's royal Will 
and PIcafjre that ihe Church and all other Perfons and 
Corporations (hould enjoy their Liberties, and thea 
look for his Text, VMi Viam, &c. 

In difcourfing on which he endeavoured to demon- 
ftraie, * That a Thing well begun and continued wiili 

* Diligence, muft have a profperous Event, according 
'10 the Saying, 

Dimidium Fa^i, qui bene capit haki. 
, * This he applied 10 the King's Succeflts, who had 
' made fo glorious a Beginning, by invading France ic^ 

* recover his Right, and an Inheritance derived froia. 
' his Anceftors ; who had purfued his gallant Enter— 
' prize in a continued Courle of Viftory, by the Con— 

* queft of Harfieur^ and the Defeat of ths French, iix 

* a general Battle at AgincBurt. That it beir.g only 

* peculiar to divine Wifdom to forefee the End and 

* Event of all Things, he entirely referred that to 

* God ; with great Hope of Surcefs from fo profperous 
' a Beginning. Which, that ih.e King might be en- 
' abled to obtain, he had calle.l this Parliament for 
' their good Counfel and Affiltancf.' 

Sir WjImt Bean- , The Commons, retiring 10 their Houfe, chofc Sit 

chimp chufrn Walter Ben'ickamp, Knight, for their Speaker; who, 

p«kei. j^^.^g allowed, they next, with the Afleiit of the 

Hilhopsand Lords, appointed thai the linih :ipd Fif- 

tcenihif 




0/ E N G L A N D. 149 

ttnthsy granted laft Parliament, fliould be paid fooner **■"( ^'°^ ^• 
than was ordered. By the fame Authority, it was 
enaiSed, ' That, conlidering the damnable Schifm be- 

* tween the two Popea at Rome, all Bifliops ele£t, 
' and other Perfons, (hould be confirmed by their own 

* A^trepolitans, upon the King's Writ, without far- 

* iherExcufe or Delay.' 

On the 8th of -^pril, the King prorc^u'd the Parlia- 
ment to Mmday in the third Week after Eajftr ; when 
being again aflembled, the Chancellor told them the 
Reafon of the faid Adjournment, was, not only on 
occafion of the devout Time, but that an honourable 
Peace had been offer'd by the Frinch, and that the Em- 
peror ^'I'^uW was the Mediator in it ; in which the 
Commons were defir'd to give their Advice. But, 
Iho' this is here meniion'd in the Records, they give 
us no farther Account about it. The other Tranfac- 
lionjof chisParliament are all on lefs publick Afiairs, 
no new Subfidy being either asked or granted ; which 
may be owing to the great Riches the King had acquir'd, 
tither by the vaft Plunder at Agiitceurt, or the Raofora 
of Prifoners. 

The following are the moll remarkable Petitions in 
this Parliament : 

Pttitm. ' That all Sheriffs, for the Fees of Knights P"'"""' °^ "» 
' coming to the Parliament, might enter into all Li- 
' berties, except the Demefnes of all Lords, and fuch 
' Towns as find Burgefles. 

Anfwtr. ' The Statute made i zth Richard II, fliould 
' be kept. 

Pet. ' That all Sheriffs might be difcharg'd in the 
' Exchequer upon their O^ths. 
. Anf ' The King will be advis'd. 

Tet, ' That all Owners of Ships, during the Time 
' of their being in the Kmg's Service, might have three 
' Shi!iing<! and four Pence in the Tun above the or- 
' dinary Freight. 

Anf. ' The King would do according to Reafon. 

Pet. ' That all Men might go to the Parts of /«/i/nif 

* to fi(h freely, as they us'd to do. 
Jnf, ' The King will tnke Advice. 
Ptl. ' That all the Ordinaries thro' the Kingdom 

K 3 ' might. 




1 50 The Parliamentary H i s T o r. r 

' might, by an affign'd Day, enquire, and certify in 
' to Chancery, the Foundations of HofpitaLs with 

* all Circumftances, that Redrefs might be made ia 

* this Bulinefs. 

Anf. * The Statute made at LeUefier, zA Hm. V. 

* fhall be ohferv'd. 

Pet. ' That the King's Purveyors do take eight 
•.Buflielsof Corn only to the Quarter, flrik'd ; and 

* that they lake up no Provilicjn in the Market, with- 

* out the Good-will of the Patty, and ready Pay. 
jSa/'. ' The Statutes made for that Purpofe {hall be. 

* kept. 

Pet. ' ThatJbme Remedy might be found for the 

* Relief of the poorClcrgy, much wafted, becaufe tb« 
' Univerfities fwarm'd with new Learning, by reafoa 
' of the Statute of Provifors, which caus'd the old 
< Faith to be neglected, 

jfnf. * At the King's Motion, the Bifhops pro- 

* mis'd to provide a Remedy for this Bulinefs. 

Pet. ' That the Penalty of fuffering any Prifoner 

* to^fcape, who wasguiltyof countetfeiiiug, wafliing, 

* or clipping Money, might be a hundred Pound. 
jfnf, ' The Penalty (hall be arbitrai'y as before. 

Pet. ' That all Writs of Suhpana, and Cerlis dt 

* Cau/is, going out of the Chanctry and Exchequer, 
' might be coniroU'd, and not granted in Matters de- 

* terminable at the Common Law, on Penally of the 

* Plaintiffs paying forty Pounds by Way of Debt to the 

* Defendant. 

Jnf. ' The King will he advis'd. 

It wasalfoenafted in this Parliament, ' That where- 
' as feveral Bretons were come into the Kingdom, 
' either as Spies, or to carry Money and Jewels 

* out of the Natbn, all of ihem not naturaliz'd, 

* were, by AQ. of Parliament, requir'd to go out of 

* the Land, before June 24 eniuing, upon capital 

* Penalty.' This was becaufe the Duke of Brctagni 
was Confederate with the King of France. 

And whereas Provifions of Benefices frcm the Pope 
had been made ufe of, to exclude from the faid Bene- 
fices the Incumbents, who by the Gift of the Patron 

■ Jong enjoy'd them ; it was therefore ordain'd by 

anothw 



0/ ENGLAND. iji 

another Aft, ' That no Incumbents fhould be mcJeft-'^'igHciiiy 

* ed under Pretence of any ruch Provifions of the 

• Pope ; that whoever difquieted them, fliould incur 
' the Penalties contain'd in the Statutes of Provifors 
' before made ; and that they fhould be profecuted 
' by Procefs of Pramunire f(uias forin'J againft them ; 
' and that the Perfon who lu'd them Ihould recover 
' treble Damages. 

Another Adt pafs'd, to make Clipping, Wafhing, 
and Filing of Money, Treafon : And whereas, (by 
reafon that it belong'd only to the King's Juftices be- 
fore himfetf, or by fpecial Commillion allign'd, to 
judge and puoiDithis CrimeJ it was To boldly and ge- 
nerally iJtailis'd, that the Deftruition of all the Coin 
was unavoidable, if hafty Execution and Remedy 
were not provided ; it was therefore enabled in anothtr 
Statute, " That the Juftices affign'd to take Aflizes, 
' m ill the Counties of Engh^d, fliould have Power 
' by the King's CommilTions to hear, and determine 
' in their Seflions, all fuch Caules concerning the de- 
* bafngor falfifying the Coin of the Nation.' And 
whereas, contrary lo iheCuftom in ihe Days of Si/- 
ward III. when no more than Half a Crown, or a 
Crown at the mod, was paid for provini^ a Will, the 
Ordinaries did now take foriyor fifty ahiliiiigs: It was 
[betefore ordaio'd by another Aft, ' That no Ordinary 
' fhould take above that old cuftomary Rate for the 
' Probate of any Teftament, upon Pen,ilty of foifeiting 
' to the agriev'd Perfon treble the Sum fo receiv'd.* 
This Statute was to ftand in Force cnly to the End of 
the following Yair. 

Thcfe Afls being pafs'd, and Hevn, the Grandfon of 
HiHry Percy, Earl of Narlhumberland, who had fo 
long becrt an Exile in Scotland, and who, in the Parlia- 
ment held at ff^yfrninjlsr, in the Second Year of this 
King's Reign, had been reftor'd to his Honours and 
Lands, having now in the Houfe of Lords done Ho- 
niBge to the King fittiug in his Chair of Statc» this 
Scflion ended. 

Next Year great Preparations being made, on both 

Sides, lo carry on the War again with Vigour. The 

Bnglijb Kmg found himiclf obliged to call a Par- 

K 4 . liament. 



igHeiryV. 1 



153 The Parliamentary Histokt 

Kint Bnir V. linment, in order to ralfe Supplies for that Purpofei^d 

' Wilis were lent out dated at Sandwith, Oifobtrq, pft rj 
aficr the KinR** Tecond Landing from Abroad, fcTODT'' 
to meet ai IVeflm't'iJfer on the igth of the famcMonibj 
the preiTmg Exigencies of the SDte requiring fucti) sr 
ll«\Jy Summons. 

Anno R*im 4. On the Day of the Meeting, the Bilhop of W\t-. 
M'S; (hijltr opened the Seffion with the ufual FormalilifW r 

*' *'"'"'>*'"■ and aftci quoting for his Theme this LattD Senienc!, 
OpcTam detis tit quiiti filis. He ailed ged, 'ThatH 
' God hdd in fix Days created all the World, ant 
.' rcfted the feventh ; fo the King, agreeable \o "ti 
' Coronation Oath» had, in five former ParliamenUi, 

* endeavoured ro eftablifli good Laws for juft AdiW- 

* niftraiion at Home, and the lecuring of an honounblt 

* Peace Abroad. But that the French were fo linlt 
' inclined to comply with the reafonable Terms o!- 

* fered them, that they refuled to render the En^}i 
. ' Prifoners taken at the Battle of jfgirteeurt, or to 

* rantom their own. That the King provoked at iB 
» obftinjtc Injuflice of an Enemy, who refolvednd 
' to do him Right in any Thing, was ronftrained W 

* attempt the Recovery of his own by Force of Ann 

* And fince, laid he, this is hb Majefty's juft ReffJi 

* tioii, and that iheie is, indeed, no other way I 

* bring his Enemy to Reafon, Bella faciamus ut PaM 
' hubeamui, quia Finis Bslii Pax eji ; he is determiiv 

* to ufe Violence, and purchafe that Peace, with S 

* Sword, which is not to be oiheiwife obiaincd.' f 
concluded with telling them, that the King intended 
make ule of iheii Counfei, and required ihem toche 
and prelent iheir Speaker to him. 

Bogfr FlQwtt, On the third Day of the Seflion the Commons pi 
^Efqitleaid Tented Roger Fbwer, Ef<ji who was accepted ; and 
''" "' fliew their great Zeal for the Caufe the King was t 

g?ged in, with the Conl'ent of the Lords, they grant 
two whole 7fn(i; and two Fifieentks lo be levied i 
the Laity j the Clergy, alfo, granted two Jenth i 
their own Body. But all this being not fufficient, 
thought too dilatory for the King's prefling Occafiow 
at the fame time it was enafled, ' That all Perfons Wl 

* would lend any Sums of Money to the King, fhoid 

hai 



0/ ENGLAND. is3 

* have Letters Patent to be paid out of the firft Mo- King Htnrj V. ■ 
' ney nifedby theSubfidy ;' and the Dukes o( Clarence, 
B/4/oriiy and GkcejUr flood engaged for the Perfor- 
mance of this, in cafe the King fiiould die : Upon . 
which many of the Bifhops and Lords, whofe Names 
are in the Parliament Roll?, readily fubfcrib'd ; yet all 
was fo deficient, that the King was neceffitated to The Crawn »i»4 
pawn the Crown lo Henry Beaufort, Eifliop of jr/«-K>og'« Jeweii 
ihefier, for a vaftSum,and to borrow a thouland Marks P""'^^''"^'^ 
of the Lord-Mayor of London, upon die Security ofwarsgjinft* 
many rich Jewels (d ). Fran«. 

At this time his Majefty was pleafed to grant a ge- An h& fora Ge- 
neral Pardon for all Crimes which did not concern "'""'"''""' 
Life, or Lofe of Members. "'' f"="' ?- 

An Aft was alfo pafTed, ' That all SherifFi fliould '"' ' 
have allowance upon their Accounts by Oath.' This 
had been petitioned for by the Commons in the former 
SeBion. 

Alfo, whereas by an Aft made n .^.11. certain 
Rates of annual Wages for BailiSi and other Servants 
of Husbandry were fettled, and a Penally ordain'd for 
any who gave or took more ; by an A(5t now it was 
eftablifh'd, * That the Taker only fhould incur this 
Peailty.' 

Another A<£t ordain'd, that none of the Irijh Nation 
Ihould be elefled an Archbifb^p, Bifhop, Abbot, or 
Prior ; and that whoever promoted fuch to thofe Ec- 
clcfiaftical Preferments, or brought any fuch Irijb Re- 
bels to Parliaments, Councils, and other Aflemblies 
among the Englijh, fliould have all their Temporal 
Eftaies feiz'd into the King's Hands, till they had paid 
the Fines due for fuch Offences. 

There was alfo an Aft of Pardon, by which all For- 
feitures, Fines, Debts and Demands, not exceeding 
Twenty-fix Shillings and Eight-pence were remitted, 
aod all Trefpafles, Offences, Confpiracics, f^c. par- 
don'd. 

Bdides thefe, and fome other lefs remarkable A<fts, 
the 

(i) Barj Buafsrt, Bilbop ol fflnibi/l.T, on hii own Actount, lent 

^ Kl99M>co9J. 



I 



IJ4 7he Parliamentary History 

lUot Heaiy V. the League and Alliance between the King and ihe I 
peror Sigi/mund, was confirm'd by the whole AlTeoi 
AnJ on ihe laft Day of the Seflion, the King fiiiini 
his Throne in full Parliament, created Thomas Beauf 
who was Eatl of Dorjet, Duke of Exeter^ who 
alfu a ihoufand Pounds confirm'd lo him, to be p 
yearly out of the Exchequer, and forty Pounds cut; 
the Cuftoms at Exeter. The Lords fo approved of 
Example of the King's Liberality, that they laid 
Objcflion could be made, but orily that it was 
little, and not proportionable to ihe Merits aod £ 
vices of that nd}Ie Perfon (f). 

In this Sellion Sir ^ohn Ttbetoty who had (b mil 
diflinguilh'd himfelf as Speaker of the Hcufe of Co 
mons in the laft Reign, was appointed the King's S 
lident at the Imperial Court. 

Hinry, by the AiBftance of his Parliament, havi 
again railed Money for the Support of the War, J 
refolving to- invade France, early next Spring; gr 
Levies of Men were made for that Purpofe, He cm 
Proclamation to be made, that all Soldiers, who woi 
leive him in bis Wars, fliould have twenty-five CioH 
a Month; and invited them to partake in his Cf 
quefls, which, in all Appearance, would this Year 
very confiderable. Other Means he took to rend« 
Army formidable ; but, it was not till _7«I/, 1*1 
that he could get z\\ ready to embark, and he lam' 
his Army at B£vi(e, in Nermandy, a few Days a' 
in fpite of allOppoliiion. 

yu^a'Duke of Bedford the King's Brother was k 
gent during his Abfeiicc; and whilft ibis victorious N 
narch was gaining many Viiaories and Towns in F 
the Stets thought proper to invade the EngHJe Bordi 
but, by the Conduit of the Regent, ihey ■ 



An Inrafion ef 



(t) Thi) En^eror ciinc aver to Eitghni, loi nriplo^'d I 
deiTSUti tenediile t I'e^ce bcnvcen the Cmwnl o! EnglgnJ tniA 
hat: ihcy all proved inefFcAusl, and all he muld da wii lo letUt ■ ! 
ing Pnn, onifarenl Anidta, betweca himlclf nnd thf Crown of' 
IokI. There is an Inllnnnsnc in the PMic 
and nfm to 






in Par/™ 



vu.a 



»Z)fet)ftobtiiRee. 4to, Fen. Ana, Tom. IX, P. 4aj. J 
He «ai Son to the Dute of Exaer, beheaded at Cb^ir ' 



0/ ENGLAND. 155 

batck again with Shame and Lofi- After the i^i Henry y. 
was t^ua delivered from the Dangers of this 
^n, tb^ Duke thought proper to call a ParliameDt, 
f^^rits bearing Date OJioler s^ and to fit the i6tb 
f$mbir following, at IFiJiminJler, 

which Time aiul Place being affembkd, in th« Anno Rejni 5. 
fiCiamber before the Regent, ^hmas Langl^y^ ^^^^^l^^^^g^^ 
p oi Burhi^my then Lord Chancellor, declared 
C^^fe of their Meeting, and took for his Theme, 
firfamm H wiliier agite^ it gbrioft iritis. • Qn 
^hkrh Words he took occafion to expatiate^ and to 
bt forth their Happinefs and Glory in the Reign of a 
luisff, who^ tluru^g his Father's Life, had fupprefs'd 
be KebeUioQ[ of th? ^^''^^ ; ^nd> fince be can^e to 
b« Crown, h^d defeated the dangerous Confpiracies 
Mined ^z^ft the Church, and againft his own I^^-- 
aici aod Government. Who had beqn fo profperous 
X War by the Conqueft of Harfleur^ and the Vic- 
My a^ JUincourty and who now witl\ continued 
ipccefles,^ was fubduing Normandy to the EngUJh 
kiominion. That the chief Caufes of their Meeting 
^'cre to provide for the keeping of the Peace at home, 
Dd due Obfervation of the Laws ; to make Provi- 
pn for the Support of the War, and to take Care . 
ir the Defence of the Marches of Scotland. That in 
U thefe Things it would become theai viriliter a- 
eriy to afl ftrenuoufly j which, \i they did, he then 
fiured them of Honour and Glory ;, confidering, 
^inutnifatio Virtutum ijl Honor* He concluded, as 
al, with defiring the Commons to chufe their 
aker, and prefent him next Day to the Duke Re- 
^t Accordingly on the third Day of their Sitting, Roger Flower, 
\ir Fbwir Efq; was, again, elefted ; who, wiih^^'^^againchofcn 
comtnon Proteftation, was allowed. And, as a-^P^^^*"* 
ftimony of their hearty Attachment to the King's 
•reft, and Zeal for the War, the Commons with the 
bnt of the Bifhops and Lords, granted to his Ma- a Subndy 
1 a Tinthy and one Fifumth (^). s^'^^*^- , 

We 

) Sed Pecunia imfrimis imperatu'r, quo Stmptus in Copias fun Tern-' 
iant I nempe nuuus erat, cut id Bellum tion maxime Ccrdi cjfst^ 
fturque t^pi utiU ^am offortunum, * 

Poi-. VjiiQt Life. XXri. P. 4.*^. 



\ . 



ipinn 9ir joon 

Oklctme»Ur^ 

CoUttUb 



^ being outlawed upon Treafon in the Ku 
^ and excommunicated by the Arcbbifhop < 

* bur^y for Herefies, warf brought before tl 
' and, having heard his faid Convidtion, an 

* thereto in Excufe : Upon which Record a 
' it was adjudged, that he fhould be taken a 
' to the King and Realm -, that he fliould b( 

* the Tower of London^ and from thence d 

* London to the new Gallows in Saint Gylis 

* Ttemple-Bar^ and there to be hanged, and bu 

* ing/ The Record out of the King^s 1 
large ; the Effedl whereof is, * That the fa 
« Oldcaflle^ and others, to the Number of tw 

* czWtdi Lollards^ at Saint G//^j's aforefaid, d 

* to fubvert the State of the Clergy, to kill 

* his Brothers, and other Nobles/ The . 
of Canterbury* s Infcrumcnt for his Excomn 
is there alfo at large (h). 

And a Motion being made, that the L 
might have the Thanks of the Houfe, and t 
in the Proclamation mentioned, for appre 
Sir John Oidcaftle^ Knight, the Heretick ; 
the Affirmative, ^id vultis mihi dare^ cri€ 
Ham Prynne at thisPaflage ; * The Brothei 

* craveth his Reward for betraying the 

* wherein it is not to be doubted but that 

* Reward in this World was heavily 



Xi 



0/ E N G L A N D. 157 

k addsj ' The Clergy at this iMr own Parlia^nenty j^ 
le not to rage, and roar aQtr Chriftiar Blood, 
igxiam Lennes rugientes ; and whofoever did the 
'aulr, they cry crucify ChriJI, and deliver us Barra- 
for now all hcrrible Miichiefs whatfoever were 
ipuied to the poor LoUatdi.' 
Thus far Sir Robert Cmtan, and hisPubliflier. 
"'bat we have to add, relating to the Condemnation 
lis great Man, by his Peers, is chiefly from ^7- 
t/n i who, tho' a Co-temporary Hiftorian, yet 
Monadic Writer, we may well fuppofe too 
rtial in the Recital (i). He fays, that, 
When the Parliament was informed of Sir 7c^« 
Oldcaftk's being taken in Ifahs by the Lord Pozvis, 
ihcy ordered him to be fent for up. He was brought 
to Ltndsa'm a Horfe- Litter, having been much wound- 
ed in the Conflift, and placed before the Duke Regent 
and the other Eftates of the Realm ; and the Indift- 
ment drawn up againft him at the King's Bench, fome 
Ycare before, for levying War againft the King, was 
read in the Houfe. Being demanded what he could 
alledge in Arreft of Judgment ; he ran out into a Dif- 
courfe very foreign to the Piirpofe, about God's Mer- 
cies; and that all mortal Men, who would be Fol- 
lowers of God, ought to prefer Mercy above Judg- 
ment ; and that Vengeance p3rtained only to the Lord, 
and thjt his Servants ought not to intrench upon this 
Prerogative of the Almighty, Thus he Went on, fays 
OLf Authority, talking widely from the Bufmefs, till, 
atlaft, the Chief Juftice defired the Regent to order 
the Prifoner not to make them lofe any more Time, 
but to anfwer diredly to the Point. Afier fome Paufe 
he told (hem, it wag a fmall Thing for him to be 
judged by them, or of Man's Judgment ; and then be- 
gan again to ramble from the Queftion, when the 
Chief 

lODO Maiki ; wilh a PrDmirr of pnpetuil E«inf tion ftom Tans ta 
■nyTnwn that Aipuld fecure him, Fjcn. Aim. Turn. IX. P. S9. 

Walfi«gbam nmkes 'ifc of this Proclamation as an Inftaoce to flicw 
how generally miillfft\ Doftri«s had affcflcd ihe MinJs if the People, 
that info long rime there wii not found any Mm, whom fo great a 
Rcmrd could tempt to betray him. 

(*) Wjifiag. Hjpulig. Niaft. P. 590. See aifo f. S::-.ai\ Chrii:. 



158 The Parliamentary KisTOKY 

Kin'HifnryV. Chief Juftice once Hiore interrupted him, and bid hh 
^ ' anfwer peremptorily, if he had any Thing to objcft r 

gainft the Legality of the Procefs ? To this he replie 
wkh a fiirprifing Boldnefs, that he had m Judge 
mongji them^ nor could 'acknowledge them as judges^ H 
long as his Sovereign Lord King Richard was Hving «! 
Scotland. Upon this Anfwer, a Warrant was inftsuntlf )! 
£gned for his Execution, and he was ordered to tej' 
hanged and burnt. The firft Part of his Sentence wisJe 
for Treafon ; and the other for ffcrefy. Accordioigl^ii 
he was executed on a Gallows, built on purpofe in \ 
V St. Giles's Fields, being hung by the Neck in a Chaiii | 

of Iron, and his Body, with the Gallows, ccHifumed |i 
to Aihes. j 

Though this unhappy Nobleman^s Paternal Name \ 
W38 Oldcajlle^ yet by 'marrying the 'LzAyJoott Graod- j 
Daughter lo John Lord Cobham, and bis Heir, he took ] 
the Title of Lord Cobham. He was SbenS* of Hen- \ 
fordjhire, in • the eighth Year of Henry iV. and as a j 
Peer liad Summons to Parliament among the Baroot 
in the (k) eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth of ttat . 
King's Rdgn, and in the firft Year of Henry V. He 
had been honour'd by Henry the Fourth with a confi- 
derable Command in thofe Troops, which in the 
twelfth Yeir of his Reign was fent over to aflift the 
Duke of Burgundy againft the Duke of Orleans, 

In feveral Parliaments (I) he had frequently reprefented 
uo three Kings fucceffively, -^/x. Richard the Second, 
Ne//ry the Fourth, and Henry the Fifth, the infufferablc 
Abufes committed by the Clergy. 

^" ^39*5 he made a Speech in Parliament againft the 
Pope's Power, and againft the Removal of Caufes to 
H^me to be tried there ; upon which an Aft pafs'd, 

* That no Peribn Qiould transfer his Suit to the Pope, 

* nor publifh any Excommunications from him, on 
' Penalty of Coniilcation of Goods, and perpetual 

* inipiifonment/ 

In 1395, and in 1405:, he had prefen^ed to the Par- 
liament federal Difcourfes, concerning a Reformation of 
Dilcipline and Manners in the Church. 

In 

\h) DtfGD^^Lx'i Summons f Parligmcnt, P. 38 1, j, 5, 9, 

(I) Baljbus de Script, Briian, 



O/ E N G L A N D. 155^ 

In i395f fee prefented a Book of his own Compo- King Henry v» 
fare to the Parliament, in which he difplay'd the cor- 
mpt Manners of the Priefts, and annex'd fome Verfes to 
expofe their abominable Pradices, and to excite the 
, Juftice of the Magiftrates to punifli them. 

Many are the Difputes between the Proteftant,and 
Popifli Writers, abom the Character of this Nobleman, 
who was the firft Peer of England that fuffered for 
iLeligicm (/»)» The former crying him up as a Martyr 
to Truth ; and the latter treating him with no better 
Titles ^than an EnthuiialY, a Rebel, and an-Heretick. 
Mr. Goodwin fays, ' He had all the Qualities of a brave 

* and gallant Gentleman, and was equally illuftrious 

* in Arts and Arms : * But, if what Walfingham relates 
of bis Behaviour at his Execution be true, that when 
many Pcrfons of Quality attended there, the laft Words 
he fpoke was to Sir Thomas Erpingham^ adjuring him, 
ihc$ if hi faw him rife from the Dead again j on ihi 
third Day^ he would procure that his Se^ might Uve in 
Peats afid ^ietnefs {n) ; We can look upon him, in 

'this latter Part of his Life, as little better than an 
£nthnfiaft. 

In this Seflion the Letters Patent made for the Bifhop 
of Winchefler^ for one and twenty Marks to be levy*d 
out of the Cuftoms of all Staple Wares fent from Souths 
bampton^ to fatisfy the Sum which he had lent the King 
for the War, were confirmed by this Parliament. 

A grievous Complaint being made of Infurre^ions, 
of which the Lollards were fufpeded to be the Authors 
and Abettors, and a Petition being prefented that Cotn- • 
million at all times might be granted to enquire after ~ 
them ;' Anfwer was given, * That the Statutes provided 

* in that Cafe fhould be executed.' 

There wasalfoa Motion offer'd, that no CoUeflor 
for the Clergy fliould be appointed out of his Deanry : 
To which this Anfwer was returned, that die Clergy 
{hould appoint their Colleftors. 

' The 

(«r) 7oxt.'*s A6fs and Monum* P. 740, 10774. State Trials, Yo\, I, 
Collier's Ecc, Hift, P. 647, &c. 

(n) Adjurans eum^ ut Ji cerneret eum refurgere DU tertia, Pacem prff* 
€uraf9t SeSia fua, Walfingham 400. ^ 



1 60 The Tarliafnentairy History 

King Henry V. 'Xht ncxt Year was wholly taken up with the gjhi 

The King's '' ^^^"^ Aftions and Conquefts in Normandy and Fram^i 

great Succcfs in performed by our young Englijh Alexander ; and coa- 3 

France. eluded with the taking of the large and ftrong City ofj 

Roah^ the Capital of Normandy \ after which, the reft ! 

of the Towns, yet untaken, in that Province, eafily i 

fubmitted tbcmfelves to the viftorious King. It was 

not till the Year 1419? tl^t we meet with another 

Parliament, called in England^ by the fame Authority 

as the former ; for Writs of Summons were iJflTued out, 

f in the Regent's Name, dated Aug. 24, for a Parliament 

to meet at Wejlminjier^ on the i6th of October fM- 

lowing. 

Anno Regni 7. ' On the fame Day the Bifbop of Durham^ Lord 

^4i9« Chancellor, declared the Caufe of the Summons, before 
At weftminfter. ^^^ j^^^^^^ ^ ^^^ ^j^^ ^^j^^^. ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ Kingdom, and 

faid, ' That the King's Subjefts hkd great Reafon to 

* revere him, and pray for his Welfare ; lince, as be 

* could not obtain that Peace, which he fo often fought 

* for, he had begun and carried on War, Timore Deif 

* .which, being Principium Sapieniia^ the Effefls of ft 

* were evidently flbewn, by ihe many Viftories he had 

* gained with Honour :* All which he took care, par- 
- ticularly, to enumerate. For his Theme he took thefc 

Words, Bonum facietttes non deficiamus ; and from 
thence told them, ' That his Majefty was In good 

* Health and Spirits, that he defired his Subjects would 

* be careful to obferve the Laws, and provide for the 

* Defence of the Realm 5 and, confidering, that this 

* Enterpr.ze fo well begun could not be now left off 

* without imminent Danger, he expedled new Provi- 

* fions to be made, that he might end the War to his 

* own Honour and their Advantage.' 

After the Receivers and Triers of Petitions, for 

England^ Irelandj Wales and Scotland^ with Gafcoigny^ 

and the other foreign Dominions, were appointed; 

Roger Flower, the Commons prefented Roger Flowery Efq; once more, 

Efq; a third ^s their Speaker ; and, on November xht 13th, they, 

Timechofen with the Blfliops and Lords, granted to his Majefty 

Speaker. ^^^ Fifteenth and one Tenth^ and one half Part of then) 

both. 

The 



r 



0/ E N G L A N D. i6i 

The like Order was taken for the Payment of Kin- H 
fuch who Oiould lend Money to the King, as had been 
obferv'd in the fourth Yeir of his Reign. There were 
twenry-ihree Lords, whofe Names are in the Rol!,^^"^ 
who made their Subfcription. 

It was alfo cnafled, ' That the Lords of the Coun- 
' cil Ihould hai'e Power to eftablifli OtderS touching 
' the Coin.' 

And for the keeping the Money wiihin the Nation, 
it wasenaded, ' That all Neceilaries fhould be boughc 
' at Home for ihe King's Soldiers, and fent to them ; 
' and alfo that certain Wools (hoiild be bought, and 
' fent into Narmaiidf, notwithftanJiiig any Statute for 
' the Staple made lo the contrary.' 

The Queen Dowager's Confeilbr having accufed her -i 

for confpinng the Death of the Kitig, it was ordained 
' That all ihe Lands and Goods of Roger DoHsr and 
' Peiromel Brocirt, her Sureties, fhould be feized, and 

* paid to the King; and fufficieni Warrant was pro- 

* vided for all who ihould pay the famefi).' 

In the Year 1470, and the 8th of this King, the„ 
Frtnch War was brought to a Coocluiion, by a Mar- Cath7riiv 
riage between the Princefs Catherne of France^ and Fnoce. 
Henry King of England; whereby Henry was declared 
Recent and Heir-Apparent to liie Crown of France. 
in the Abridgment of Rfcerdi, there h a Lift of the 
Peers fummoncd to a Parliament to be held at J^iji- 
minjler on the fccond Day of March this Year j but 
no farther Account is given of it. But the Siaiute- 
Books Icll us, that a Parliament met on. the fecond 
Viay of December iu the 8th of this King; and that 
in thisSedion a remarkable Statute was made, occafion- '^"'"' '^' 
cd by the Peace then concluded between the two ^ ^'^^ 
Kings ; whereby it was enafted, that, ' Whereas the 
' Government of Fran ft w.tsdevoUed on King Henry, 
' whidi would require his frequent Ahfence from Eng- 
' had; therefore, rf a Parliament fiiould be fummoned 

* W ihe Writs of the King's Lieutenant, and the 

* King arrive foon afier thefe Writs were ifiiied out 

* ofChaneery, yet that Parliament ihould not be dif- 
-VoL. 11. L ' folvcd. 

(■) For an Atnjunr of Qufer ^ajn't Coiifi>iracy, Tie GcjJtvzVs HU 
J|i^of HtFTf the Fi/ih. 



[i. _ i6a 'The Tarliimentary History 

KIcgEfcnryV. • folv'ed, nor iiew Summons made, but tha: il ihould 

• meet by venue of llic former (o).' 

Anotlier A£l was palled, by which all foreign Mer- 
chants, buying Wool in England, lo tranfport into o- 
ther ["art!, wttc obliged lopay into the Mint of tke 
Tower an Ounce of Gold Bullion ; and for three 
Pieces of Tin the fame, or ihe equal Value in Silver 
Bullion, upon Penalty of Forfeiture of their Goods. 
The next Year King Htury, covered with Lauiela, 
relumed to England, and found the Nation flourifhing 
and proipcrous, unrier the Gnvtrnmcni of Humphrey 
Duke of Gbuct/ier, his Brother ; who had fuccecded 
Jeh/i Duke of Bedford in ihe Regency, and managed 
Anno Regni g. all Affalrt with cqUal Wifdom and Siiccefs. In May 
± jj*n''- n '+3I, ihe King met his Parliament at If^ejtmhjitr, 
and, with his own Mouth, reprelenied to tncm ine 
State of Affairs, ' What Conquefts he had made in 
' France, and what Supplies were necefiary toconiinue 
' the War. That the Dauphm, and his Party, who 
.^^, , • mainuined fome Cides and Provinces againft hira, 
lay ' being fubdued, that Kingtiom might be entirely an- 

• nexed to \he E/igHJ/j Crovja ( p),' The Coramotis 
A SubiUy agreed lo give him a Fifuenlh ; tho' a Peiiiion was 

prcfented, filled wiih fid Complaints of the People's 
Poverty, and intolerable Burden of the War, and that 
even his Conqueft of Irance would prove the Ruin of 
England. This was done by fome Pcrfons, fays an 
Hiltorian, who, more alTcfling their own private In- 
lereft, than the Proffierily of 'their Country, regretted 
to part with any Money to advance the Greameis and 
Honour of the Government (j), 
BMfoioeiifcfln- Howevef, this Hint is fufficient to fhew, tliat dio' 
tented at i:. ihc King had g:iined Vjiftories and made great Acqui- 
iitions Abroad, ye: there were fome of his Subjedls at 
Home, who thought iheni too dear bought, by the 
many Taxations which had been imjiofed for their 
Support of a War not likely, in ihc End, to prove 
beneficial lo i\\t Englifi Nation, M. R..piu rcmarki, 
that to gain the before-named Subfidy, ihe King had 




hid 



(,) Sta. . 

(f) liOLL 

Is) Wa. 



, .. (y EjNGLAND. 163 

laid befiire the Parliament a State of the Rei'eoues and King H 
Expences of the Qown (r). By ihis Account, a 
Fragment whereof is inferred in the Colleflion of Pub- 
/[V^ji7j,icappearsth<it the Kings annual Revenues, at 
rfiis Time, amounted but to Fifty five ThoufaDd feven 
Hundred and forty three Poijnds Sterhngj and that the 
ordinary Expences ran away with Fifty two Thoufand 
two hundred ai)d thirty five Pounds ; fo that there re- 
msined but three Thoufajid five hundred and E'ght 
Pounds, to provide for at kaft a Dozen extraordinary 
Articles mentioned ia the Account (_s). One half of 
Srance wa^ ftilj uoconquered, and the Provinces fub- 
jefl to the Engiyh fo drained, that there was no Prof- 
peft of drawing from thence the neceflaiy Supplies for 
continuing the War; for which Reafon the Burden 
was ftili to fall upon England- Wherefore the above- 
named Petition muft have been very difagreeable to the 
KJngi by which it appeared that the Parliament grewr 
weary of furnifbing Money at this Junflure too, when 
it was more neceflary than ever, by Reafon of a Divcr- 
fion the Kingdom was then threatned with from the 
ScBls. An ancient Chronicle relates, that, to relieve 
(be King in this Exigency) his Uncle, the rich Bilhop 
oiH^incheJIcr, lent him another 20,000 /. on the Subfidy, 
left the Commons Oiould be called upon too foon 
for the Money (/). But it does not add, that the Pre- 
late was wary enough to take the Crown in Pawn for 
his Loan ;and this is fettled as the re.il worth of it at that 
Time {u). Though it is fcarce the Value of one of the 
Jewels belonging to the Crown of England at this Day. 
During this Ssfliou, thcie was a Convocalign of the 
Clergy at St. Pauls, who gave the King a Tenth on 
licfe Conditions, ' That the Purveyors of his Majefty's 

* Houfhold ihould not meddle with the Goods or Pof- 

* feflionsof the Clergy. That if any of that Body were 

* accus'd of a Capital Crime in the King's Courts of 

* Judicature, they might upon Bail be freed from Im- 
' prifonment; and xhaiTWcaJhated PrieJJi Ihould be 

* proceeded agiinft in Law as Felons,' 

L s Eut 

fr) mji. o/Etj.Fc,]. Zrf. p. 517. 
f.) F'J. .^n£. fora. X. P. iiy 
ft) F^MsChrtK. Foi.CUXXVlI. 
\t} Pud. Ani. Tom. X. P. 190. 



A Peace with 

France, 



• 1 64 The ^aHiamentdry H i s>i* o b. y 

lUijg Henry V. ^ut thtf 'the;^aVlumiem was fo-^aci wafd ' in' givmg 
Money towards .^anyifig on the "War, yet ' the "Very 
next Thing they' Went. iijpbji, w^s to'declare 'lihyirAp- 
pTobatioii of the* Peace cotifchidc^-" at Trij^5, hef^ve^u 
King iy^«;j^'and':th^K%df -/^^ to ''giVq thfefr 
Confents, and prbmife t6 pbffeire'^^t'. And'/finte'.tlttt 
Peaceftzrd, not only been W8m' tR apd ra'tifieti by the 
two Kiftgs, but. alfo^ by. the ttire^ Eftates;of 'Frs^yf^i 
the Lords', and 'CommoDS^pf'S^^/^ifiri' wottli feaye-'k 
confirrn"cl. In the fame f6|einTi Miriher, in ^riijtment. 
Whereupon Tf^om^is 'Zar!gi^'Bi{K6p'6t'.,Durhami tofd 
Chancellor,' having, :/by.th^;^Kfi^s Orcidr,^:rcatftfc 
. Anicles of it, both Houfes'of'PaHiament ayowied, tkt 
they approved and accepted it, 5s thoft conducive to 
theGbpd of both Nations, znd ohATf Chri/leh^m ', ind 
every one prbinjfed for hicnfelf,, his -Heirs and Siiccef- 
fors, that/they "would inyiolably obferve it (JrJ, 
I During the fitting of^ this/Parliapetit,'C5ifSwy 
Princefs. of Frafuej'.v/hom Hhrj had itiarried'fome 
Time before, and was the llrongeft Cement Jto' this 
Peace, was" crowned at Wejiminfter with 'the '^eatcft 
Soiemnit/ (jp). 

The moft remarkable Aft made in this Scflion, was 

one, by which it was ordaiti'd," * That whereasWafhcrs, 

■ Clippers and Counterfeits of the Money had dcbas'd 

ASs pafiM j^pjj fpoil'd the Coin ; none {hould receive any GoHt 
but by the King's Weights appointed for that Purpofcj 
" and that the Gold which was not of due Weight, nor 
of right Alloy, (hould be lent to the Mint to be new j 
'. coined, the King at his own Charge making up the \ 
\ Deficiencies/ \ 

\ It was alfo enafted, * That every third Benefice, the j 
P/efentation of which belonged to the Prelates ahd Mo- | 
'naileries, (hould be. confer'd on fomc Scholar of Ox- I 
^ori or Camiridge,* An excellent Method for the ! 
Advancement and Encouragement of Learning. I 

Whilft 

(a-) In the Collcaion of Tuhiic JlSiy is a Copy of the King'« Letfw* 
of Exemplification, unHcr the Croad Seal, tcflit'yinp the Pariiaomt ■ 
Approb.'.tion of the Peace, and enrolling :» public Inil-rument of ih* 
fanio. Datw'd at Canterbury^ Ji'-^t I, 1^21* FccD. AnO, Tom.)C« 4^ 
P. 125. i 

Ann the Inftrument itfelf is publiCxcd in the fame ToxnCi Pi !*•■ i 
(y) tJjdJ'erg, P. 456. f 

4 



, ,0/ E 14 G.L A N jDi- ,-, ^ ids 

"WhiltirHiniy wasadrnndnghis Cong^eftsagainft. the King Hewyy.^ 
i>at^!u\ti Frame, 'k\sBroxhtt,ihsD\i]ie,-qi'Sid/ari/^ad-' 
miniftretl the Regency in £,ti^kn4y wilt) great Wiaom 
and ricielity. This Governour ihougiii. lii tq CiiJ! a^^^j,^^,|^j 
Pailiament, whkh met iitVif.i^//)/n/?fir cn-,t|i,e-,firft of, 1411, 
December, la llie fame Year as the- former. The Bi-AfWeflnuni 
Ihop of Dt{rhiim opened the SeiTion ,wilb a formal. 
Speech, CT ather a.^crmun, of little or ?ioStgoific.incy[. 
except, that in' the Qonclqfion he told ihem,-,* The/, 
ought Eo eliabiifh good Laws, apd d^i'eii^ the JFrahyers' 
oi iheir Country wiih manly Courage,' • '\ ■ ; 

On the third Day of their, lilting the Commons pre-BichirJ Bay 
ftald_RUhard Bayi!atd.KCf\i.\Q the Kcgent for tjjeir^isi 'I"'*™ 
Spe^er; and the laine EXfw,; y.-ith lis j<!^n lent of the ■^i'"''"' 
other Houfe, they granted 5ip King one. ?f«fi,- and one, 
^uinlby 10 be levii:d on the Lairy ; but with this'*- ^"''"'"'^ 
Condition, tys IVaiJingkain, that the firil hah" tff it 
fliould be paid in tlie Money then current- It was , 
alfo, ordained, That all fuch Money, wiih other, 
fhould pafs till March 25, if it was not lioicriouily 
clipp'd and wafti'd {z). The Gold C^^in had been Tei- . 
fened in the Value, byclipphig and wafhingj therefore 
the Parliament ordained, for the_ Relief of the People, ■ 
that the Receivers of the Tax ih'ould take all fiich Jight , 
Pieces, if they did not want in Weight mure than - 
Tweh'e-pence in the Noble; or, if ihey did, thofc Anfi,rReg,, 
who paid them were to nuke up the Defefl. TheinsiheCcin. 
People therefore put off their Gold as fad as they 
couhj, and hoarded up their Silver {a). By which the 
King, tho' then under Neceflities for Money, was 
contented 10 lofe almoll Thiee Shilling in the Pound, 
for the Benefit of the People. , 

Several more Stauics were made thjs SelTion of Par- 
niment, relating to the Coinage ; the Heads of which ■ 
ai'e as follow : 

* That all the Statutes m-repealed concerning [he good 
ai;jd lawful Management of Gold and Silver fliould be 
ftriflly obfervcd and executed.* 

* That the King IhouU appoint his Exchanges of 

,L 3 ihe 

\^mfi.A»i. p. 406- Nit 7iKfi"i, vd Luiifi-Hiinmm Smimiim. , 
This fliewB tbit th( Cuftiun.oV (lippias and wiflimg Money » andeat. 

•a-i W,Ai.j.vs*A«,;WAjii.--fA«l«N'. Cirer.- FriiCtXXVlH; :' 
Dt'ietaiKtnm, P. 3J5, 



i66 Vie Tartiatfientary H i s T o k y 

'■ the Money of Gold and Silver in the City of laniia^ . 
and other Tcrtvns, to be kept in open Places in Htetf-' 
Streets, for the Eafe of the People ; and that all ifrfio'j 
came to ihe Tower of Lstiden to have Money nci^X 
coin'd, fhould have it deliver'd to them within eigf^fc 
Days, according: to the Value of what they broughv^. 
paying for ihe Coinage of Gold at the Rate of firtj^: 
Shillings in the Pound -, and for coining a Pound o|j 
Silver, fifteen Pence : And that fuch who would nor 
bring then: Money to the Tower, but deiiver'd it Incjl 
the King's Excfangcs, (hould pay a Penny in 
Noble, and fo proponbnably.' 

Another was, ' To oblige all the Mailers ,ftn^ 
Workers in the Mint, to make due and prompt 1*3^^ 
mentoflhe new Money, cither by Weight or Numbet^ 
to all who brought in their old ; and tliat if there waSj 
any Defiiult in the new Money, either as to We'ght^, 
or Alloy, the Mailers of the Mint fliould preifcntl]^\ 
change it, and melt it down.' -, 

Alfo it Was enacted, 'That the Wardens, Survey*'- 
ors, and Miniftera of the Exchangies out of the Towef, ' 
fhould not divert the Gold and Sliver received hythcm^J 
to any other Ufe; but fhould he oblig'd to bring it t*' 
the Mint to be coin'd, thit there might be the fillet;. 
Circulation of Money thro' the Kinfidom.' \ 

A Mint was alfo eftablifli'd ai Cakis, in the fame , 
Manner as at the Tower. ~ 

And it was hkewife ordain'd, • That the new-coin'tj ' 
I\^oney fhould be of as good Alloy and Weight as the?! 
old.' ^' 

Alfo, ' That the Chancellor of England fliould de^ ' 
liver to ihofe who would have them, good and jultk 
Weights of ihe Noble, hah' Noble, and Farthing of 
Gold, to prevent the People's being abus'd by fuch as'j 
were counterfeit.' , 

The Sheriffs and Juftices of Peace were alfo requit'd ■ 
to make a Search after all Falfifien of Weights, and to> 
keep them in Prifon till they had made Fine and Ran- ■ 
fom at their Difcrction 

An A£t having been pafTed Jnno 14, Rhbard IL ' 
wherein it was ordaiii'd, * That for every Exchange .^ 
made by Merchants in the Court of R^me^ or m oiher 
Parts, *- 



0/ E N G L A N D. iij 

Parts, tllcy fliould be bound to buy wiihin three Months Kiiw ^^t^ v. 
following. Merchandizes of the Staple, to the Value of *' ■ 

ibc StJDi foexchang'd, upon Forfeiture of the fame: 
And whereas the Merchants had reprereiited lo the Par- 
lianieni, that the Time alloHed was too fhort to buy 
fuch Merchandizes, and (hip them, and that in Default 
of Exchanges, the Money of the Nation would be ar- 
ried beyond Sea." 

Itwas therefore enafled, * That all Merchants, who 
Ihould make fuch Exchanges, fhould be bound perfonal- 
1/ in the Chancery by Recogni/arce to buy within 
nine Months following the Merchandizes and Com- 
modities aforefaid.' 

As the Parliament granted the King a Tenths and 
Fi/leenib, fo a Convocation, which had met at Ysri^ 
Sept. 22. foregoing, gave him a ttnih; and ihc Duke 
of Bidfsrd requirM the Archbifhop, by an Order dated 
Ocl, 27, to appoint fome of his Clergy lo be ihe Col- 
leflors, and to return their Names into the Exchequer 
before Eajltr. 

This was the laft Parliament called In the Eeigo of 
Hi^y the Fifth, who died of a Dyfentfry, Auguji 31, 
1422, zxV:n!cn>m in Frame and in the tenih of "qjst 
Reign (i). In the midft of his Conqucfts, and in theKeniyihcFii'Ui. 
Zenith of his Age was tin's great King fnatched away ; 
leaving one Son to fucceed him, an Infant fcarce nine 
Mcntlis old. 

The glorious Rdgn of this Prince has fumifli'd all 
our ^nenl HiSorians, with- Abundance of Matter for 
laifing the moft 6ni(h'd and exalred Ch,ira£lcr. But 
iliough hi!!vifloriou3 Sword cut them out Wotk enough 
10 follow i yet thefe EnquiricF, under a civil Capacity, 
have not been much enriched thereby. Ff-r Ilinry 
ftri<Siy purllicd hi? Kmher's lad Advice to him i and 
by smuSii^ his Subjeds with this foreign War, tepr 
ihera ali quiet and peaceable at Home- By ihefe Means 
his Title 10 the Crown was never once called in Que- 
ft«n all his Reign ; and as long as either England or 
Francs rcmim, or any Memoirs continue in diher of 
L 4 ihcm, 

UjTb'reii in Inflruincnl in ■CatPMc A^!, iA'-^Ti^i ttii' utaJ 
OSnit A it.V Jc Fr»(.'-. XXX. Di; .4f£i./:', whifih wst l!i= Dil- If 




i68 Tf:)e T.irliamcjttary Hi sr OKI 

dKm, his Virtues and brave Adlions will be 'reve/»*l 
and celebrated, as the Glory of the one and the TerWj 
of the other. To cloie up this poor and imperie^ 
Sketch of this great Prince's Charadier, we (hall onW^ 
add, what a to-temporary monaftic Chronicle has \aS 
us of it. It is there faid, that Henry the Fifth, at M 
coming to the Crown, made it one of his firft Aftj toj 
copvey KingRu^ard's Body, from Lang ley, yvhae ithaiy 
been ignobly interred, to H-'eJlminJ!er ; and depofitfed it 
neat the Tomb of S. Edward, King and Confeffor. 
This was done, according to the Piety of thofe Times, 
to make fome Aitonemenl for the Cruelties excrcifdd 
againft Richard, as hisDepoiillon and Sentence of per- 
petual Imprifonmcnt, which this King Henry by no 
■ means approved of ; and all thofe who had been iii- 
ftrumcntal in hli D&uh, he looked upon £S guilty of 
HighTreafon(K)- 

Ta X e s in this King's Reign. 

In his firft Year he had the like Sublidy on Staple- 
in W^e, Tunnage and Poundage for four Years, as had 
been given to his Father in the thirteenth Year of his 
Reign, 

In his fecond Year an Ad was pafs'd, whereby the 
Ptioric! Alien, who depended on fome Capital Abbles 
in Murmai-.dy, th^t received the Profits'of rhem, Ihould 
be veftcd in the King for carrying on a Wur againft 
France. 

The fame Year the Parliament granted him two 
whole Tenths, and two whole Fifteenth!, to be levied 
on the Laity. 

In his third Year no Tax was afk'd or granted. 
In his fourth Year, he had two whole Tenths 
and two Fifteenths to be levied on the Laity j the 
Clergy, alfo, granted' two Tenths on their own Body. 
But Ihisbein^f not fufficicnr, he was oblig'd to pawn his 
Crown and Jewels to carry on the French War. 

In his fifth Year he had otie Tenth and one Fif- 
teeenth. 

Hii 

(x) Sim jiiliim Jt'^ii Hichuii Drpt^ilmcw, bc 5111 ptrpaaam /». 

Bicranl, FrBditkms ra; fin diijldiram. , 

Hip. CrDjluutcnGi Ctnliituaiit, ad An. 1414. 



0/ E N G L A N D. , 16^ 

His fixth Year was wholly fpent on the Conq'jcft of King Hanj v. 
France. But, ''■'■'. 

In his feventh Year the Parliament granted to his 
Majefty oDi Fi/usnlh' nT\i one Tenth, and one Mf 
pirt of them both. i 

In his eighth Year he had one Tenth and one Fif- ;>j»Mt« 
uenlb. ^>il»u*^ 

Our Hiftorians are very deficient in noting the 
Price! of Prm'pns in this Reign ; their Pens are i ib And Value of 
employed in defcribing the glorious Viftories of this °"'^' 
Englijb Hero, that they feem almoft to have forgot 
Domefticfc Affairs. Fabian's Chronicle however tells 
us. That, in the Year 1 + 16, Wheat was fodearasto 
be fold for i6(. a Qyaner : And that in i+ij, it fold 
for 8i. and Malt at ; j. A Ram fold alfo for id. 




i-jo Thi^^arliamentOrf History 

■ * - ■ . 

HENRT xht Sixth was an Infant of about nioej 
Months old when he bqgan his Reign. Some At 
diorsaffirm^ that he was proclaimed King of dll 
Dominions, both at London and Paris ; but he 
^ TheAcceflionofnot then be fo proclaimed King of France, becat 
KingHcary vj. Qf^^^j^^ ^j^^ gixth was ftiU living, and by the Treaty 

^oytsy the King of England was not to be ftilcd.r 
' ; of France till after Charles's Death. But, that 

ing very foon after, for he died within Ij^lsttl^aa two 
Months of King Henry Y, the Infant King yfUfto^ 
claimed King of France and England, in Paris ^ vA 
in the other Parts of France, by the Name oflAmf . 
the Second in that Kingdom, tho' the Sixth in Engkui, ' 
Jehni' Duke of Bedford^ the young Kii^s Uncle, wtt 
conftituted Regent of France ; and after the Deathrf 
Charles, who was the ftrongeft Support to the Engijb 
Intereft in that Kingdom, had work enough upon his / 
Hands to defend what they had got from theEflft^tsrf] 
the Dauphin of France, who caufed himfelf, alfo, to \ 
be crown'd King at Poitiers. 

Whilft thefe Affairs were in various Agitations a- 
Ann* Rcgni i hroad, the fame Year, Anne li-'^i. Writs of Summcms 
1422. ' ' were ifllied oijt^ in the young King's Name, dated Sep^ 
At Wcftminfter. tembcr 29, for a Parliament to meet on the Monday 
next after the Feall of St. Martin, at Wejlm'nfier. | 
And, on the fame Day before any other Bufinefs was 
begun ; a Commiflion direfled to Humphrey Duke of ' 
Glocefter, the King's Uncle, empowering him to begin j 
the Parliament, was read, in the Prefence of the fiiid 
Duke, fitting in the Painted Chamber, and before the ^ 
Lords and Commons affembled {a). - 

After 

(a) The Commifiion itfelf, being one of the firft A£ls of State dont 
by this Infant King, may not be incurious to the Reader* 

Hzvuicus, Dei Gratia, Rex Anghx, ^Francis, &f Domima Hi- 
berniae^ ommbus ad fuoSf &c, Salutem, 

Sciatis fuod, cum, de jtinjametao Concilii nofiri, pr» ^uihufdam Mrdm "\ 
& urfrertibus Negotiis, Noi, Statum & Defcnfiontm Rcgtii nojiri A»gU^t^ \ 
acEcdcJiiS Anglicana, confingetitihus, quoddamParliamaitum vojirtm, afmd 
Weftnionafterium, Die Luna, proximo ante Fefium SanSi Martini, ff' * 
ximo futurtfm, tetieri ordinamerimus, Et auia vera, propter certM \ 
Q2i\^hl, ad Parli amentum prtediBum, perfooahtefy non poterimus iBtcr* i 
efle ; ac de Circumfjf>efiione & Induftria, carijjimi Avunadi w^ri, HuOH ^ 
fiedi Ducii Glcuceftrist pltnam Fiduciam reportautes \ eidcm Ammak 



ENGLAND. 



«7i 



f-^hich Henry Chicheley, A rclibifhop of Cancer- Kins H 
J by Gommand of the faid Duke, the King'sCom- 
ioneri declared the Caufe of calling the faid Parlia- 
it, and look for his Theme, Prinripei Pspukrum 
rtgatifunt cum Deo. 

1 difcourCng on which Words he introduced many 
kbie Examples and Apothegms ; and, amongft them 
Tved, * That God of his great Mercy had left Jfliie 
ito them of the molt vidtorious Prince Hsmy, be-', 
rttcn of the Royal Blood of Frame, whereby the 
me Ifliie was now become King of France. That, ' 

aU PerFeftions were comprifed within the NLimbet*."^ 
'Kx, fincc God had made all Things in fix Days,' 
, his divine Majefty was to accomplifh the good" ' 
^jnrringB of the famous fifth Henry, in the iixih; , 
hiry his Son ; who, he adiied, would that all E- ' 
ites and Perfons fhould enjoy their full Liberties.** 
then declared, ' Thar, confidering the King's ten- 
Ate, this Parliament was called for three Caufcsj 
e ntft for the good Governance of the King's Per-' 
n I the fecond for prefervlng the Peace, and l.iftly, 
r the foji: Defence of the Redlm. But, that it 
incipdlly imported them to provide fome honoura- 
s and difcreet Perfons for ths Governance aforefaid, 

which, they all ought to give their bell Advice.' ' 
e defired them, in this, to follow the Counfel, 
bich yethm gave to Msfes in Exodm, viz. fuch as i 
Med God, wife, religious, hating Coveroufnefs, 
liflant, tsi.' And then concluded with deliring'-i 

Commons lo chufe a Speaker, and prefent him 
t Day lo the Duke. 'jfl 

Receivers.- '■ 

\ mbsando'B, E^ '• " fnncdnvlim, & ed facimilum mmia 
it, Vua prs Nubh, & fcr Nit, pre ists Brgimie & Guicr'ai 
1 w«8r." frxdia., al athrum Dimimtrvwi /.yj^riai. tidtm K 
rfcmnrttjim, iHJim fwrin, facUrd^. JV« »» ad Farlicaa 
fAmium (S ^Jfihxmdvm, di ^»> a»Jllii mfrt, pUnmm, H 

^DB. immiltimu! P«,Jlatm Da«-t Jich,, di jlf^fi, 

E&Ki/iV M/ic'V lam.uBiKKrfs (g fiittulh A-tbl^Mi, Efijc^- ' 
Um,Priir!lnil, DuCiius, Caitutiiui, Bannltai, & Jlfililiiia, ji* 
wuii oBal-BBJ interifi, ad PattiamtiiniiB tajlnim frfiiCJum ctvar* 
•icr 7i7:ir» Pr^fn,rhm,Jirmiin-iK Mandgtis, qmd tHim A- 
r» liaei^Jinil in.PrirmiJJii, in FsjKm fufradiSa, In ajiis, ©"e. 

" WeMonaflttiom >xro Dii Nuvemlnij, JMC Brtvi! if i1 
xi. Aufi. Tom.X. P. 257. 




Reitrn, and the other Chancellor of the 
Normanrly^ who had both delivered the 
of their Offices to the Duke of Gkcejier, \ 
difcharged by Ad of Parliament, and th 
might be enrolled , which was y:ninied. 
alfo, enaflcd, That the King's Stile and ' 
be changed, and that upon all his Seals f] 
graven this Motto, Henricus Rex Francis 
& Djminiis Hibernia. 

At the Rcqucft of the Commons, the 1 
ccPar declared to them, that the King h; 
t!:e Bifhop of Durham to be his ClianccU 
Rifidrofcy Trcafurer of England ; and, Ji 
to be Keeper of the Pi ivy Seal .; for all v 
their Patents were made, and confirmee 
nicnt. 

The King, by his Letters- Patent, Con 
by Parliament, appointed John Duke of 
A Protc£Tor tccicr and Defender of the Realm and Chi 
api^oinicj. i^^^j^ ^j, J ^^j^j^f a unfellor to the King ; 

il'iC fnid DM\i.Q was then beyond the Seas, it 
' That during his Abfence Humphrey Di 

* ccfter fhould liipply the fr.id Office ; whie 

* took upc«n him the Dignity aforefaid, u 

* tcftation that it flioulJ be no Prejudice i 

* of his Brother {by And it was alfo en? 

* the Protec'^ors fhalL dnrinjr xW TCino 




. O/ E N G L A N D. 173 

>¥«rt:9 antl'Wairens i ar.<i that all Benefices in thcKv.|««'>'Ti'P. 
^King's Gift, b«ng above the Value of twenty Marks, 
^fliould continue in their I^tfrxilat during tlitir Lives,* 
fad it is litcewifs raid, th.it the Protefttr'j Salary wsi 
ktlhd then at 8000 Marks a Year. The Parliament Ths ParHimcnt 
■fc appointed Governors to take care of the King's?"'?''""'^'"" 
htlbn and Education, who were Thtmat Beau/.r't ^,:^y°'"'^ 
ptie of Exiitr, and Henrj his iltother Hifhop of fPin' 
■(fc/, both great Unclei to the King ((J. 
r ASl,-it wa< then enaftcd, ' That all Eftates (hould 
riatetheir Liberliesconfirmed, which have not been 
"iwokcd, without the Word Cencedimus to he in any 
»:-of-tIie bid Confirmations j And that all Writs, 
P CotDmiffions and Dependants of the fame, made by 
Ftte King's Council, iclating to this Parliament, bs 
"ttSifirmed by the Authority of the fame. 
V ' And whereas the late King Henry V. conlliluted 
p and appointed Hinrj Lord Fitz-hugb, fTaller Huri- 
f ffffBrrf, ff'alUr Biauchamp, Lewis Rebfart, ly.tliam 
J Ptrttr, Rabert Bablhofft, Jthn msdhii'ifi, and John 
* Lnenthsrpe Efquircs, Executors of his laft Will 
P ind Teftanient, the King granttth, now, to theni 
P 40,000 Marks for the Performance of the faid Will. 
P* Nineteen Marks due to the Executors of Unry IV. 
* Irtr Overfight of the Suix;rvifors of tiic faid Will from 
^ toe Duke of GloceiUr^ and other Lords tliere named''; 
'A Schedule thereto annexed, containeth the King's 
Letters Patents for the laiJ Sum. 
■ ' The Commons, with the AlTent of the Bifhops 
'and Lords, grant to the King the fame SuhliJy on '^ ^"'^J'' 
Woollen or Staple- Wares, Tunnagc and Poundage 
II formerly, for two Ycafs to come'. And it was, 
|lfo,CTMaed, * That all fuch Petitions as are not Ae-'^'J^aA.m.ti 
tmnined in this Parliament, fhall be referred to the during the MiV 
-King's Council to be concluded according to their "oriiy. 
'Difcretion. Alfo, certain Bi(hcps, and Lords, and 
Others were then nnm<.d to be CjunTdlors nml Aflif- 
tints to tht Lord ProlciVor in the Governance afore- 
'6id. And, that all Jullices of Peace, Sheriffs, Ef- 
dieatorj, Colleflors of the Cuftoms, Comptrollers, 
Weighers, Searclitrii and oliier Officers be jilaccii, or 
* difpIaceJ 



I 




J 74 7he 7arl'tar»eittary H i s f o r t 

* difplaced, at their Detcrminstipn. That thefe Conn- 

* fcljora may have the Advantage of all manner o) 

* Wards, Marriages, Farms, ard other Cafualues ol 
' the CrowD. And that nothing be ordained in Coun- 
' cit but t)y Six at the leaft, or more ; anti> in all greal 
' Caufes, by all, or the greateft Part of them; and, 
' when the King is to be conferred withal, that nothing 
' be done without the Aflenis of the Dukes of Btdfsrd 

* and Ghtejltr, That the Treaflirer of Enghnd and 
' the two Chamberlains of the Exchequer may have 
' each of them a Key to the King's Rectipt \ fa>n thai 

* they befworn in Council, to make none privy tbcrete 
' b'lt the Members thereof. That the Clerics of the 
' Council be Iworn (o take down duly the Names o) 
' fuch of the Couticellors as attend, and to regifler truly 
' all their Ordinances'. A)] which Articles were en- 
acted and confirmed hy Parliament ; with % Provifo, 
' That al! fuch Officers, as held the fame for Life, oi 

* otherwife, may be allowed to appoint Deputies, any 
' of Ihefe Articles notwithftanding'. 

Thefe excellent Rules and Ordinances being ratified 
in Parliament, all poflible Care was taken for Ihc good 
Governance of the Realm, during the King's Minori- 
ty. The other moft memorable Tranladtions af tbti 
Parilament were, Fitft, aStaiute wasenafted ' That all 

* fuch as were imprifoned in any of the King's Goals 
' furHercfy, oi LallarJy, fliouldbedelivcred totheOr- 

* dinary to be punifhed', 

' Upon two Petitions of ^fl(/«n'« Queen Dowagei 
' of Enghnd, the King, in Perfornjance of the League 

* made between the French King and Hinry thi 
' Fifth h'.-s Father, by two Letters Patents granted tc 
' thefaid (Jyeen forherDowry, fundry Manors, Cuf 
' loms, andolher Hereditaments in the Pnncipaity o 

* Waiti^ and Dutchy of Lamefter, there named, K 
' the clear Yearly Value of 20,000 Maiks ; all whici 
' Dowry and Letters Poicnts were confirmed in Parlia- 
' mcntwithfevcral ProvifoV. 

■ ' Ann, Countefs of Staffird, Daudiierand Heiro 

* Ehiiiior one of the Diughters and Heirs of iifw^^r 

* di Bahiin lace Earl of lireford-, E£ex and Nortbamp- 
' tin, and Conftable of Enghnd, recited a Particioi 

mad 



■ O/ ENGLAND. 175 

l-wetoHenry Fifihand her, of thefaidEa^^SKJngtT=nrTT 
lce, in the ninih of his Reign, at which 
TtsAn Knights Fees in Grofs were rot divid- 
ibre, She now prayeth Remedy for ihofe, 
concerning ccriain Members belonging to 
^^j of Brechnoch in IVak}. Atfwer^ The 
jDiffldl Ihall have Power, by Authority of 
^t, 10 fettle the fame'. 
Mkn^ Gold-btater, Mafter of the Mint, wilh- 
bwer, requircth larger CommilTion, touching 
age and Exchange of Money, in the faid 
aJthou^ it be ordered by the King that no 
aoutd hold the Excliange ; an Ordinance was 
It the faid Mafter Ihould keep the Exchange 
lext Parhameni, fo tiiat he take no: aixivc 
alf- pence for the Exchang,eof a Noble.' 
nsfled, that' nomas Chaucir, Chief Butler 
ing, ihall hold the [aid Office during his Life, 
g to the Letters Patents made to his Father 
Chaucir, and tohimfelf by King Hewy IV.' 
uie was made ' That the King's CoutkH 
flign Money to be coined in as many Places 
■'pleafed. — Another, That all the Statutes re- 
Purveyors fliall be proclaimed, in every 
four Times in a Year.— What Sort of /ryft- 
lly, may come todwell in Erisl^nd. 
the Mafter of the Mint (hall fend to the Mint 
ined, all the Gold and Silver that Ihall come 
Hands by Exchange, A certain Allowance 
made to ihofe who were returned to fervc 
y V. in his Wars out of the Gains of the 
j. Thofe Jewels which K'mg Henry V. did 
pge, fhallhe reileemed or forfeited, laving the 
lis of the Crown (^}. 

laft Thing that wc find worth Notice, amangft 
ifeflions of this Parliament, is ' That Humphry 
had granted to him, by Authority 
imem, the Olfices of Lord Great 
Conftiible of £n£/(jny With all the 
' ProEis 



ifiS. The parliamentary History 

Kiof Heniiyi. * Profits thereunto belonging, to continuf tg him du 
* ing. the. King's Plcaiiirc'. . ,. 

The next .Ycaranolbcr Parliamcrt, waj-p^llpdJ 
Wills, dated S/^(ffliifr the firit, rctumableon.the tw« 
ticth Day of Oiliber lollowing. Jt is remarkable, ih 
much fmallcr Number of Peers were fummoned ti . 
and the laft: Parliament, th^nufually ; from whenceJ 
conclude, that the greateft Part of the Englljb Nobil i^ 
at that Time, were engaged abroad, as Governors ofl 

AnnoRtEiii- fo^ie Conquered City, Town, urFonre&i or other- - 
1+13. wife, witheld ,by ibme important Poll in ihe Army, ■ 

Ai Weflminfttr. p^ Lift of thofc Called to this Meeting b as follows. 

Humphrj,. Duke of GU- jyUlism, Lord Boltriaux,\ 

.after, Tbomds, Lord Dacre of* 

Henry, . Eatl 'of Northum- GUJland, 

• BirMnd, William, Lord Cilntsn, , \ 
Ralph, E-arl of Wtjlmire- WllUam-, Lord Hniriag^ 

■ iandi i... ^. , .-. . .tun, 

11:omas,\.oiADt!a'Warr, Tkor/ias, Y.ir\ M^Jhaly ^ 
JVilliami ItOid. Ferrers of Edmsnd, E^rl of.. 
Graiy, ■ March, 

N„„« of the Jchn,. Lord mHis, , Thmas, Duke olExi-Y 

Peers. John, hold Grayjlani, Ur, 

Reginald, Lord Gieyof 5;VA<»r(f, Earl of^^r-l 

Rut Mil, wUk, 

Jthn^ Lord Latymcr, James-, Lord Audky, 

Richard, Lord Strange, Richard, Lord Croviwell^ m 
Robert, hold. Poynir/p, Henry, horA Filz- Hugh, a 

On the Day of the Meeting of this Pjrliament, a.< 
Commiflion vu9 again read to coriftinjte the Duke of 
Glocejei: Lord Preftdent ("4)1 and, by his Command, ihc; 
Eifiiopof Durham, Loid Chancellor, opened the Caufuj 
ofihe Sutamon.?, under iliis Text, 

_ J)eumtsme<e,Resimhon^rifcatf. 

On Ihe'fe Words lie 'ai^tieri, 'That wcougbi to fear 

* God, even, with a ■ Child4ite Fear; quoiiiam qui 
.-■:',> . tiiaet 

(•/j'Thefe four »rt placed In both tbeLilh iftetfcrctal oftho BiroM. 
Opirtrd.inthiitift, Jemj^UixA Boiclrf. 

(ijViiQ'CnmmininTiiihitlisfiWri^HJteaitireftB/Tflff, Oaw 

19. iIk.^s^p.-sm.. - ■ -■--■ . ■ ■ ■■ ■* 



ENGLAND. 177 

Dtum, diVgit eum, ft tunc H^ufiinaliifurCfrKingataijVl. 
\, And that ttie King ought lo be honoured, fiijce 
J.lhis Realm had attained iheir Wiflij which 
, that the King of England might alfo be King of 
ta. And fince this great Undertaking was brought 
fcftoutby tile Labour and Connuefls of their prcftnt 
King's Father, ihey ought to honour him etjually for 
nC} for Omnis fjt diligit eum qui genuil,diligil cum 

^That all the Lords of the Council, appoinlej by the 
■^ft Parliament for the Regency, anJ for the due Ob- 
KtvaEion of the ?eace, during [he King's Minority, 
^rere aiicmbled ; in order to take the Advice and Con- 
Sent of Parliament, towards perfcfting the fame.* 
Iben* he dcfired the Commons to chufe iheir Speaker 
l^jprefent him to the Duke, the King's CommiiTioner 
' ibis Pailiament.' 

""The Receivers and Tryers of Petitions being appolnt-johnRuffelEfqi 
^ the Commons prefenied 7^" -'^/^^^l^i ^ their *l"'i''=nSpejko. 

B who with thculiial Protellaiion was allowed. 
I whereas, Jehn Lord Ta^ht of Famival, be- 
e King's Lieuienant of /relanii, had accitfed 
Butler^ 'EdxXoi Ormond, of certain Treafonsi 
Accufilion was then depending before Jobn 
of Bedford, Conftable oiEnglcnd, in his Mar- 
Court; the King, to lake up ilie Mattel be- 
twixt Ihetn, doih, by Allent of Parliament, utteily 
^oIi(h the laid Accufation, and all Suits upon the 
lainc.* The Accufdtions are particularly reciied in 
^JRecoid. 

^A Committee of the Commons were appointed to 
i^it upon the Duke of Glecefler, and to give him their 
llircy Thanks for vouchfafing to communicate to them 
^ Treaty with the Sfottijh AmbailJdor, for the Delive- 
f^aod Marriage of Jemei King oCSatlaid, which they 
KBtly approved of. 

,An Ordinance was made. ' That the Mint-Maftcr iti 
Ifiie Tower (hall keep the Exchange, allowed hiin by 
^je laft Parliament, duringthe King's Piealure.' And, 
,^as enafted.at tlie Petition of the Northern Counties, 
That a Coinage (houlii beat le.-i, during the King's 
i'Jeafure ; and ilut all PciLns do bring in their Gold, 
^YoL. 11. U ' ibtrc 



1 




On the Day prehx'd being again allem 
Thing worth Notice thar they went i^on 

* on LhE Petition of tiie Executors of (' 

* Htnry IV. the King had by his Letter 
' ed the Payment of 40,000 Marks to t 

* HtH'y V. to the End [hat the laft Exe 
' pay ilie 5rft, and, alfo, difcharge theWi] 

* which Letters Patents were confirme 
' ment. The Taid Executon prayed, ih 
' hivelhs Jewelj, Plate, and Goods of 
' Henry V. lo the Value of lOjOOo Marl 

roieUiii^w granted. And ihat the laid Executors (ha 

^g.f *"' • Wards. Marriages, Goods, Debts =nd CI 

u. ' were the faid King's for the payment of hi 

t then it was enabled, * That the Executoi 

* late Kings flial! pay al! their Debts j as \ 

* byTalley asby IJebenrurei*. Atthcfamc 
waspaUeJ, ' To Iccure thofe Perfons who 
' late King's Jewels in Pawn, and that thi 
' be obliged to deliver the fame 'lill their De 
' And ttiflt the Bifhop of IfincheJlFi; who 

* 20»ooo Marks en the Crown, fliould ha^ 
' lenis 10 receive [he (aid Sum out of Che 

The Bifhop of Durham^ Executor to 
late Archbithop o^Tcrk, and others, pctitior 
ment ' To order the Paymeni of 900 P 
' Eing Htrpy V. on a Tabermcle of Gc 
' (pnging to the Dulte of Lancafier ; and k 



^ 0/ E N G L A N D. i7p 

^^pie Part, and the Executors of Hmj V. on the kJo^ Htmy Vli 
^K| relating to the Goods of the faidKtng, deli- 
^Hno the laid Executors, to the Value of 40,000 
^^B, might be confirmed by Parliament, and he 
^^Kbarg'd thereof i which was granted.' Cotton 
^^E,lhat;he Inventory of thefe Goods are on the 
^^K Containing the JeweU, Clot>i3 of Arras, Ap- 
^^pnd other Particulars, with the Prices an- 
^^K> them ; wherein, adds he, may be fcen the 
^^Ef of the late King, there being Ibme plain 
^^Er his not worth forty Shillings, with other lefs *^ 

^^Rpparel, and fuch as the worft Pages of the leall 
^^■ui, in our Days, would fcorn to wear. 
^^BPailiament having thus honourably provided for 
^Kpient of the late King's Debts, iin Affair of 
^^H>Iick Concern came before ihem. Jamts, 
^^gSatland, had been a Prifon^r in England, cverA Puce wiih 
■fe Reign of Henry the Fourth ; wherein the Po- ''" ^""*- 
^Bper than the Juftice of this Detention, muft be 
^KQcled. However, it was now thought, that if 
^^h King was fet al L]berty, Things might be fo 
■fc'd with him, that a firm and lalling Peace might 
iSabliHi'd between the two Nations. And left the 
fctionfliould be loo loon forgot, it was alio pro- 
Kio give him to Wife Jane, Daughter to 'John 
fe of 5flOTf f//, and Coufin-German to the young 
K'(^). Accordingly, by Letters Patents, diruited 
teirtain Biihops and others, a Treaty was let on 
V^ Durham, between the Commiffioners of both 
feds i and the faid Letters Paienis were not only , 
Brined by this Parliament, but the Power to ddi- 
fe theKingof Sf«W, on the Conditions agreed on, 
tlfo ratihciiby them. The ScoichKm^ was leleaf- 
" 1 his Captivity of eighteen Years, and marry'd 
$ Lady, with whom he had a large Dower, be- 
lianyGifis of Plate and Jewels, which her Kin- 
(f theNobility prefented them with. At his De- 
jp, he was alfo induc'd to take an Oath of Friend- 
1 Fidelity, fay fomc i or as other Hiftorians 
M 2 write, 

t DMJt hnutiful Wotnin of Lsr Timt, with whom hi; «al 

fM^KMi'iHift. of itub'jd, by£W, Vul. 1. p. 444> 



tjD^ ne enirea mio a unci jueague wiin idi 
Franu^ and entirely deferred the other's Inte 

FetitMnf in Pir- The reft of the Proceedings of this Pari 

liamcnt. fljall nuigc as follows : 

Edmund^ Earl of March^ Son and Heii 
Earl of Marchy prefented a Petition, whcreir 
ed, thai King Henry V. for the Sum of io,c 
paid to certain of the King's Creditors by th< 
promis'd to him, by Word of Mouth, his < 
riage, he being then the King's Ward, wh 
quefts may be confirmed by Parliament ; a 
granted. 

Thomas^ Duke of Exeter reported, how 
late King, a little before his Death, muc[ 
him to the (aid Duke, for confifcating the L: 
Lord Scrcpe^ upon the Attainder of Henr 
Lord, and his Beheading at hiorthampton ; t 
fince underftood that the faid Eftate was eni 
Geofreyy Stephen^ and John le Scrope^ his Bror 
that the Lord Fitz-Hugh and fFilliam 1 
whom Part of the faid Lands were given, ' 
tented, on Proof of the Entail, to make I 
of the fame. But we do not find what the I 
did further in it. 



(ij The Oath was in thefc Words, ' I Jamet Stno 




0/ EN G L A N D. i8i 

.■ Oo the Petition of 7""' Qwco of Siiikai, Wifei^HuqrV 
b King Hnty IV. the King, by Confent of ParlU- 
MDti reftor'd to her all her Dower* and the Arreati 
Wibe Gaact with all her'Goods that were talcen fioio 

■ M the Petition of ihe Ma&cr and Brethren of the 
btl^ital of St Lfnarfa in tirl, it was ena^ed, * That 
^ibej fliauld enjoy all their Tbieaves of Corn, within 
■ft tU CbuDties of liri, Cumttrlaady rVefimortkfiJ, and 

* LtMe^ifiiir* j and that th^ may recover the fame by 

* in Aftkin of Debt or IJetinue.' This Statute was 
ude xemarkahle, by being the firft Occafion of a great 
KfKiIutJoll which happened fbme Years afteri - _ 

' Itinu<oa£led, ' Tliat if any Perfon flicnild carry out 

f of the Realm any Staple- Ware, from ihe Staple of 

,V CdS^nocuftom'd, he fhall forfeit the fame, and make 

fr fiw and Ranfom at th: King'* Pleafure. Alfo, that 

ff no Licence be granted to any Perfon to Iranfport any 

fl^t Looms out of Hamp/b'trit Ktaty Sajjex, xaA 

Ysrk ; but only to CaJiu.' But ^is laft was only to 

ndnue to the nextPatliament. 

. Two Foreign Ladies of Quality, who had been 

nrry*d, ihe onetoche Dukcol jB«.^ri/, and the other 

DiheDuke of G^^^r, were luiuraliz'd (his Parlia- 

dL The former was -^nit. Sifter to Philip Duke 

AfT^iw^, and Wife to Jehu Duke of Btdford^ 

k^ut of France; the latter was Jajuel, oxJaqutUntt 

' Daughter and Heircfs to Ifilliam Duke of Bava- 

__ , who was nurried to Hunt^brty^ Duke of Glacijler. 

Fhii Princefi, by her Father's Death, had the Govern- 

Imt of the Earldoms of Hiinault and HtUani^ two 

hp and populous Countries, defcendcd to her ; and, 

iho' marry'd to 'Jthn, Duke of Brabant^ yet on pie- 

kKcibat her Husband was too nearly related to her, 

i&K Marriage j or, as o^zn fay, for his unkind Uf^e 

her ; fbe left him and ome into Engknd, where 

e foon after became Duke Hujr.phri/i Wife, to the 

U Difcleafure of her former Husband ; and in the 

id proT d the Ruin of the Enghpt Intereft in Fronct, 

fir Jf!kn Mertimtr^ of B'tP^Tp's Hj:f.t]l in the 

M 3 County 

(It Sst bctbn. p. itii. 



"TlBMiy a Rcwara oi lurty ruunas 2 i ear, 
9tld aOiiling TO him m his EfcajK ; and afi 
Earldom. Second, That the feid Sir ytl 
thai after his Efcapc he would go into fl 
Earl of Marth, and havmg rais'd 40,000 1 
enter ihe Kingdom again, and cut off thej 
Protestor and the Bifhop of H^mchtftef^ 
had lold this Informant, That the Earl <jE 
rightful Heir to tiie Crown of Engla/idtM 
him he was the next Heir ; wherefore, tM 
March refus'J to recover his Right, h^| 
take upon bim the Regal Power as his'S 
That when he came into ff^tihs, if the flj 
■would not accept his Service, nor engage in 
he would then fly into Frar.u, and aflill 
King againft King //fwrjF, and did notdoub 
End lie fiiould gain his Defign (I), 

It appears by the Record, that this Sir y 
mir had been committed Prilbner to the ' 
Sufpicion of Treafon done againft the kie ] 
whence he had made his Eicape the firll "^ 
Reign. For which Efcape alone, we fupi 
indi£te<I, and this Indiftment, byiheAuthi 
liament, was allow'd to be good ; and the f 
being again apprehended and brought before 
merit. Judgment was given agiinfl him, ti 
back 10 the Tower, and drawn from thcnc{ 




<y E N G L A N D. iSj 

Houfe (jf Lancajhr conceived agaiiifl: any Commoiion l-- h vi ' I 
inFavouroftheHoufeof Jw-i, was the Occafion of*^*"""!"*' ^ 

tl^ Defcendant of the htier being took off by fo ille- 
gal aod arbitrary a Proceeding. Oh wliofe Death, hys 
wold Hiftorian(f«), great SJander atole to the Con- 
triveraof it. And another (rrj remarks, that' his Faults 
were believed to be Calunini^, and himftlf brought to 
in ignominious an End for that alone, which, by vul- 
gar Poiiticians, is callfd Reafsns of State, The Earl of 
March, the immeiJiate Heir, was, we may believe, more 
than fufpefled i but nothing being proved a.eainll him, it 
WM thought politic to fend him over intq Ireland, with 
Forots to. fecure that K ingdom,where he fotai after died, 
without Ili'uc, whofe Inhetiunce ddcended to Riibard 
Plantagentt Son and Heir VO Richard Earl of Cam- 
bridget beheaded at Soutkamptiin in the late R«ign (u). 

There are feveral more A£ls and Ordinances made 
in this Parliament, which may be (ecu in the Abridge- 
ment and in the 5/fl(uf« at Large; and having fat till 
ibe iSthof ftirursrj', on that Day they granted the^ subfiay. 
King the fame Subfidy on Tonnage and Poundage as 
in the laft. It was, alfo, enaited, That Merchant- The Prateflor 
Stnnger? fhal! only pay 43 J. and ^d. Duty on every J""*" r"'""^'* 
Sack of Wool, notwithftanding tte Grant made jn"*'^"'"'""'*'''' 
ihe fevcnth Year of the laft Reign. They next ap- 
pointed and named the Bifbops and Loi cJs, with other 
Pcrfons that were to be of the King's Council. All 
nvhich Perfons took upon them to act, on certain Rules 
aijd Articles adigned them, far itriiter ihan tlie lalt, 
and very dercgatory to ihr Power of itie Pro:ecior. 
Amongit the reft, fays Cu/in/i, one carries with it a 
very good Face of Jnfticc, ws. That the Cleik of the 
Counca, Ihall be Iwom, alway, to prefer and promote 
;he pooreft Mau'siiuit, or Bill, before ary other ; and 
ihst ihe King's Sergeant fli<;ll take no Money for any 
Coiinfel thf?rcin. 

The /Vw^A War was ftill carried on by the Regent 
jgiinft \\\c Dauphin^ who was, by his Party, Iliied 
Cbatlis the Seventh, with various Succcls ; whilft the 
M 4- Proteitor 



M 



'^hott'-t. p. 15. Hin. V 
;,J liU. V. jES. 






■f Vorit fi 




184 The Tarliamemary History 

nfeiHewVvr. Proteflor, England being loaded with many difficult 

Affairs ot State, thought fit to call another Parliament, 
in order to extricate himfelf out of tliem. The Writs 
Anna Regoi 3. o^ Summons were dated the l+th of February, and re- 
J4»S- turnable, at fViflminJier, the lail Day of jlprii follow- 
At Weihmnfter. j(,g_ y)^ ProtcitoT and Counci] thought it neceflary, 
in order to engage both I^ords and Commons more 
zealoully in iheir liilerefts, to bring the Infant-King 
into the Houle ; and, accordingly, on the 'Day. of 
their Meeting, he was carried ihro' the City, on a 
The Infant- ^^^ Horfc, 10 Wejimitifttr. The People flock'd in 
KiiiBcuriedw great Multitudes 10 behold him; and imagining with 
the Houft. themfelves that they could difcern the Features and Ver- 
mes of his Father, to be tranfplanied into him by Na- 
ture, they loaded him with loud Acclamations and 
hearty Wiftes of a long and happy Life [p). Being 
come to the Palace, he was from ihence conduifted to 
the Houfe of Lords, and fat on his Mother's Knee in 
the Throne. It was a ftrange Sight, fays one, and the 
firftTime it ever was feen in England^ an Infeni lining in 
his Mother's Lap, and before it could tell what Engiijb 
meant, to exercife the Place of Sovereign Direction in 
open Parliament fj). Yet, fo it was, for the Com- 
mons being called, the Bifhop of Wimhefitr, then Lord 
Qiancellor, opened the Caufe of thu Sammcns in Man- 
ner following ; ■ .„ ■ 

For the Head of his Difcourfe he chofe thsfci WordiyJ 
Ghria, Hoimr, ci P<!x, omni eperanii Bsnum ; this W^ 
divided into three Branches, viz- Bsnum hcnejium, which 
confifted in the due Obedience of the Subjeft ; Bonim de- 
• haabile 

(•) HAi.i'>ar™c/(FcI. XXIll. 3 HfT/ry VI. H^i«glbn<J, sSg. 
Fflfc«"p»M>n ArauntofthisProcemon intbtfc Wordi, ^ Two Day' 
' befort Ihc eulcmcni met, tlie Kings with the Qutene his Mooer came 
' th^ragb the Cjtyefrgm Weiidcfore, ind when he came at the Weft 
' Doie of Pooljs, the Lorde Prolefler loke hioi out of the Chare, aod 

• fo was ledd upon luiFtrc, hMwcen LheSijiU Lt.rde Proteflourand the 
■ Duke of£x<fn-iiDlalheSteppcigoyng biotbEQuyet. From whente 
' h» WM bgtne onto the hygh AulMr, lod iherc kneled on a Traverfe 
' purvcycii lor bym. And when he had ben there he yode to the Rode of 
' the NonhODce and there rrude hit Ol^rynges. Andcheawaihebenieiii. 
' to the <JI<uich yerd^, aad chete fet upon i layre Cmiifer, and fo cnnicyed 
' thorugh thepe andtlie other ."trcetes of'theCytyc anto S. Gecrgc's 
' Barie,andfobeIdhisJoora>y lohiiManourofKenyngton. In the fame 

* Mmner he wai eonireyed thoiu^ the Cytye to mjlinitfiir to mete ilw 
' Pa.lement.' Fahiam Chn.. Part;, MlBl. 

(j) Speed- !K:h,La. P. 6;i. 



L 




0/ ENGLAND. 7 tSj 

kStabVti which was giving good Council ; and Bonum^'^i 
atiie, which was the free and willing Relief ihey owed 
to their Prince and CommonweaUh. 

By thefirft, he argued thai God was moll glorified ; 
bylheiecond, the Prince bell lionoured j by the (.i^ird, 
the Subjefl's Safely belter guarded, Accoriling to the 
laying in St. Luie, Gloria in exceljh Deoy in Ten a Pax^ 
ttibmiriibus bona FoluHtas. Glory is given to God by due 
Obedience in the Subjefb j the Prince is honoured by 
having found Advice given him i and tlie Subjects go- 
verned in Peace by relieving their Prince. And, in 
this he affirmed, that Princes ought to be obeyed iho' they 
were evil; according to the Command of St. PeUr, 
obidite Prtepofitii ; for although they were not good in 
thcmfelves, yet, as they commanded many good Things 
to be obfervKl, they ought to be obeyed ; and put them 
inmindihat, Siiul Prlnceps tenelur ngers regaHttUt fit 
Pltbs ihedirt. 

Oo his fecond Diviiion, relating to found Counfel, 
he urged this Text, Salus ubi multa Conjdia, and it*ld 
them thit an Elephant bad llirce Properties, the one, in 
thai he wanted a Gall ; the fecond for (hat he was in- 
flexible and c^uld not bow; and the third, in that lie 
was of a moll found and perfect Memory ; all which 
Properties, by Arplicaiion, he wifhed mij^ht bs inall 
Counfellors, That for their wanting a G.ill, they 
might be ihsrtby free from all M.ilice, Rancor and 
Envy; by being inflsxible, that they fhould not ftoop 
to any Reward, nor in Judgment refpef^ any Perfon j 
and erf a found Memory, that they hy calling to mind 
Dangers paft, might prevent Perils to come [r). 

His laft Topic, for the Relief of the King ; he urged 
that it ought to be done with all Readinefs of Mind, con- 
fidering Chat God, by the young Pi ince, hia chofen Vef- 
fel, (here before them, had not only governed ihcm in 
Safety, but had, alio, given to them many honourable 
Victories and great Conquefts i all which ought to en- 
force them more willingly to offer, that their Grants 
Ihouid be more readily taken. Laftiy, hedefired the 
Commons to go together and chufc their Speaker and 
prefent 

-i(r^ Lori Ccie't Chatailei of a Mejnhct of Piilianienr," butlnqu'd by 
^1 Sv'f', lemu lo hive bcca boitow'd from this Spsccli. 

SwirT'i Mijc!lUr.ici, Vol. 4. 




^f ^ 1 86 ne Tariiaauntiiry H i s To r r 

l^K'HemVi- prefent him the next Day. Accordingly, they prefcnUI 
cd Sir Thamas Nanten Knight, for [heir Speaker, befon 
Sir Tfcomis [f,g g^ing and Lords, whofe Excuie being not.allovedi 
s^te".'"^' he, with the ufual I'rotdUtion, was accepted of. 

But ihe Bufinefs of this Seflion was much interrupted; 

by a Quarrel between two great Men about a Right ofl 

Precedency. John Afewbray^ Earl Marlhal, and Rubiiin 

ard Beauihamp, Earl of IP'arwici^ were the two Aog 

tagonifts; and each kid Claim to the higher Place ifl 

the Pariiameni-Houfe. They were, howefer, coi 

manded not lo come to the Houfe, till the Matter t 

tween them was fully heard ; and learned Counfel wasi 

lowed them to plead and fpeak lo their relpeflive ClaiiDsal 

TheDukeof(i'/(j(i//fj-, asProtet'tor.wiih thebifliopsawfc 

the reft of the Peers fat as Judges j and they, with 

Members of the Z/Cww" Hiuji, were all fworo to give i _ 

right Judgment in iheCauie,without FavourorAtfeftioiM' 

Thf Commonj ^'^ Rabert Cittoti, in his Abridgment, has taken Paiil|h 

cotituiteii in a to cxtTadt, from the Record, the Subftanceof thePlea* 

Cafe of Ptccc- on both Sides i which is prefixed to his Account of tbA 

■" '" ^'"^'"Proceedings of this Parliament. Therein the Pcdigreesdl 

ihofe two ancient and noble Families are fairly fcl ronfait 

in order to fuppcrt their feveral Claims, 

Forproving the Earl A?flijftji'i Title, Riga- Hunt^ 
his Counfel, exhibited to the Lord", a Pedigree, where^ 

I ill it was demonllrated, that the faid Earl Mar/ha! camtf 

of the Royal Blood, and gave the Arms of Bn^lsnd^ 
with a Difference, in his Efcurcheon, The faid Pedt*' 
grre deduced the Earl Marjhal (rom King Edward Xi 
and fliewed the Earl to be allied in Blood to the pre/eat 
King, from Thomas Earl of Lamajlir. It, a!fo, Ihewej.' 
Itiat the faid Earl was related to ihe King by tlie Line of 
the "^z^Xai Arundel. Wherefore the Counfel pleaded, 
that his Client (hould have the Prercrence, ; 

Sir Walter Biasicham^, Counfel forihe Ear! of /F«r- 
wld, produced, alfo, a Pedigree; and, in ihewing ihrf 
great Antiquity of the Family, he provi?d, by many , 
Authorities, iliat Antiquity hath had Superiority lo (hi 
Blood Royal. By ihrfe Arguments he enforced thd! 
Title of the Earl of /^am'«*'i but inlifted, cillefly, oij 
the faid Eail'a great PolitfTions; which he made thai 
llrongeft Plea in his Favour. ■ " 

- The 




^^^ 0/ E N G L A N D. 

The Glunfel for both ibefe Earls having finiOiedKinKHenrjr- 
Iheir Keas and demanded Judgment ; it might perhaps 
have perplexed iheMiniftry how to pleafe thefti both, 
but, that a Method was devifcd to do it cffedually. 
The Eir\ Marfijl had been, privately, required to put 
in his CUrm for being rellorcd to the TiHe of Duke ot 
JNorfcIi J according to the Crearion of TSswwj his Fa- 
ttier, and as Brother and Heir to Timaj, who died with" 
«3ut Ifliie, Son of the faiti T'^a/tflf hisFatherfj)-; which 
daim, when it was publiciil)' made, was, for feveral 
Reafons, granted and confirmed by Parliament. By 
this Way, the Precedency was out of Difpute betwixt 
them ; and the Earl of JVdrwick was the Occafion of 
Jielping his AntagonifttotheDukednmagainft his Will; 
■Vfhich the other, perhaps, would never have obiained 
"V^iihoutit. 

It may, well, be fappofed, that this Difpute between 
t.>ie(e two Noblemen took up the whole Bufinefs of the 
I*arriament this firft Seflion ; for we meet with no other 
ih'oceedirg till May ijth, when the Duke oiGhuJitr, 
t>y Commiflion under the King's Letters Patents, pro- 
rogued it for a Week longer. 

The Firil Things we find ihat they went upon, in 
this fecond Stllion, wasby common Afient, to gr;int, ASutiridj. 
as an Aid, the former Subfidy on Wools for iliree 
"Years longer ; and Tonna'ji and Poundage for one 
ear; upon Condition, that foreign Merchants (hould 
ftriflly looked to for their Djties, 
The Lords of Paribmeni, by Name, promifcd, on 
iir Honours, that they would not hinder the BKhop 
Wim^efier^ but further fuch Security as he fhould 
tin from ihe King, for Money by him lent to the Go- 
iment And, it was enaifted, That the King's Couii- 
(hould have Power to givt; Securities to the faid Bi- 
ip, and to other of the King's Creditors for fucli 
ibis as were diie to them. Alfo, the faid Bifhop hav- 
jobtainedihcKing's Letters Patents to receive io,ooo 
'ounds, out of the firft Money arifing from the King's 
Cuftoms or Revenues of the Crown, the fame was con- 
firmed to him by Parliament. 
I Sir ya/jw Cernwal Knight, Father-in-Law to the Earl 

\ of HantingWi, (hen Prilbner to the Eatl of Findsfme in 
I 'Fraiid 




1 The 'Parliamentary History 

,f VI. France, having, by Ailignment, the Wardenfliip of 
the Body and dnds ofjlhn Arundel, Son and Heir of 
John Arundil of Arunad Knight, except joo Marks 
payable to the King, pelitioneth, tliat the Yearly Rent 
of thefaid Eftate might go toward5 Payment of 1800 
Mirks, dJbiirfed to Ihe Eirl of Vettdifmey towards the 
Ranfom of the faid Eail of Hunthigton ; which was 
granted. And, at the Petition of the faid Earl, the 
Lords of Gancmrl and TtkervHe, French Prifoners, 
were delivered to the faid Sir John C^rnwaKoT 5000 
Marks (iifburlcd in P^rt of the faid Earl's Ranfom. 

On Petition of Ann, late Wife ro Edmund Ear! of 
March 3.x\A Ulf)er{t), it was orJained that the laid Ann 
Jhould have Livery of her Dower, on finding of any 
Offices after the Death of the faid Earl, and upon her 
Oath not to marry. That Part relating to the OfHces 
we do rot undcrftand ; but this L^-.dy was the Widow 
of the faid Earl of March; and dying without IlTuej 
he left his Honour and Eftate to Richard Plaaiage/iet, 
Eatl of Cambridge., his Sifter's Son j who, being ihere- 
by. Heir to Liond Duke of Cbrenciy firft be^n the 
Coiitcft, between tlie two Houfes, for the Ciown of 
E'jgland. 

There are feveril other Matters relating to more prir 
va:e ASairs, in the Abridgement, which we (hall p^fs 
over ; and only mention one which has a more public 
Concern, and which Cctten halii given us in tliefc 
^Vo^ds : 

' It is enafle-1, t!m the Quarrel and Combat, betwixt 
' the Duke of ChceHer and the Duke of Burgundy, 6p 
' in no Caf,: proceed ; but that the fame by the King^ 

* Letters Pitents be cominilted to the old French Kio^^ 
' the King's Mother, and the Regent of France j ao^ 

* that [he Duke of Burgundy do deliver into indi^erei^ 

* H.ind3 the Perfon of my Lord of Glocejier.' •% 
It is not eafy to reconcile this Paragraph 10 the Hi? 

tOTf 

{l)Tk\iE3miad^K\ dfMarcb.&c. hid been a Prifunir of Slate e^' 

Gm.«ihcRei(nor;-Vi"jlVi wis grown Ume and dee«pM with Age »ij| < 

- - ■ ■ lYeamrailuppilyrsliMfcditoin bh Mi&ry. Hall>^ 



a v. H 



hipailyrelcsredtTambuMilery. Hali 
Hrn. V]. Fil.i^i. 

h»tl> giren us n Urn Stene of ihis f.mc EdmimAMart. 



Dal^e af Ttrk, In Piifo 



-J VI. PMlfitft. 



!j *imr^ 



fO/ E N G L A N D. 1851 1 

of the Times ; ii Teems by this ihat ihe old Frendi . « 

King was ftill alive, and that (he Duke of (?/n«//(rr was '^'■"'e "*"')' ^^ 
then a Prifoner to the Duke of Burgundy: Whereas all 
Htftor'es agree that the Fremb King had been dead two 
Years before; and that Duke Humphry was never a 
Prifoner tn the other. It muft be a Millake in tbc 
Abrldgtr, or his Publijher, in calling it the old French 
' King, inftead of Queen, or the Qiieen Mother ofFrancci 
and fomeofourHiftorians tell us, thai it was the Duke 
ofGlocefter whofent the Duke of Ba?|-wn(/v a Challenge 
for aiE'fting the Duke of Brabant, in the Affkirs of his 
elop'd Wife ; and charging him with Treafoa a- 
gainft the King of EnglaHd[u). But ihe Regent of 
France, confidering, that it might be of very ill Confe- 
quencc to the £'n^/yJ Inrereft, became a Mediator be- 
tween them, and made a friendly Conclufion, juft when 
the Heroes had go: every Thing prepared for the Com- 
bat. The Duke of Glixejler had borrowed 20,000 Marks 
of the public Trcafure, to enable him to rai(c Forces 
for the Recovery of his Lady's Dominions in Flanders ; 
which was to be repaid in a certain Term of Years ; 
and it was now ordained, by Parliament, that the Lords 
of the Council fhould take Securities for it. Duke 
Humphrey was very unfucce&full in this Expedition ; for 
he loft the Lady anJ her Dominions, alfo ; (he became 
at hft reconciled to her former Hufhand j and ihe Duke, 
to remove the Chagrin of fuch a Difappointment mar- 
ried Eleanor, the Daughter of Rtgimild Lord Cabhar/iy 
■who had before been his Miftrefs; which proved a very 
unfortunate Match to Iiim (;f). 

There werefevcral Atts made for the public Bene- 
fit this Parliament. The chief of which are, L A- Sevei 
gainft the Exportation of Sheep beyond Sea, without the v^';' 
King's Licence ; becaufe by carrying of Sheep into"'"' 
Flanders, and inher Parts, the Wool Of England would 
at length become of liiile Valu;?, and the Woollen Ma- 
rufadlure of the Nation be greatly diminiflieJ. To 
remedy this, they laid on a heavy Tax of forty 
three 

Tk) Bietidl ftys Dtlinway", «ni DMkes tlit Challenge come fmm 
teiDofceof*U'T™Ai tnIh=Diilieol'G;ik-g9fr, for.efleaingtifonbli 
boour in .his Aft^ir. BmHi't H^'ryW. H.16. 





1 pa 7hc Parliamentary H i s T o r r 

K.*ui| Htniy VI. ihtee ShilliDgs a Sack upon exported Woob, which was 
ten Shillings more ihan ever was paid before for ihe 
like Quantity. H. For the Exponation of Butter and 
Chcefc, to encourage Hufbandry ; giving the ChancelT,. 
lor of Englapd leave to grant Licences, at his Difcretiob 
to fuch Perfons as fhall de/ire to vend the faid Artidi 
in foreign Paris, as well as at the great Stapk at Ca^ 
HI. That all Merchant Strangers, wiihln fifteen Ifaj 
after they are lauded, in any Port of this Kingdom 
Ihail take Lodgings or other f^abitations, in the Tow: 
or Place where liie Port is, under fome Englljbnitit 
^L and ihall not make itny Sale of any Goods or Mercbai) 

^V- dize till ihey are ia fettled ; and then {hall fell ail thp 

^^ Merchandize within forty Djys next cnfuing ; and \ 

^H any Goods remain unlbid after that Time they fhall I) 

^H forfeited to the King's Ufe. This h(X was intenda 

^H for a double Benefit : firll, that the King might no 

^B| be defrauded of hbCuiioms; and next, th^t Strange^ 

^^ft might not by keeping of ibeir Goods and Merchandizes 

^H underftand the Warns of ihe Nation and fb raife t^ 

^^ Prices. After pafling thefe, and ieveral more Afls, 

Parliament was dillblved, and the Members fcntbacj 

intotheirown Countries (j'). , 

Q^nrrct'dttwcen Afaout ihis Time it was, that a dangerous Q^iarrelwa 

the Lord Prutct- fct on Foot between two very great Men, l>oih chi< 

^■'^^^ ^''Supporters to the Houfe of Lancajitr, Humphrey Lon 

chrtlrr, rriWr'J P'otciSor, awl Henry Beeufort, the rich Bifhop q 

w pjrlbiiisnt. IVintheiler^ great Uncle to ihc King. , 

I he latter of thefe, by his Magnificence ardGrao? 

deur, feemed fo much to oui-fiiine the Protestor hin» 

Jelf, iho' almoll on the Throne, th.it he drew on him 

liie Odium and Jcaloufy of the other. The haugbtt 

Spirit of the BiQiopi being Legate to the Pope in £j 

land, was fc great* that tbe Proleclor could not i 

dure his Pride; .ind fuch an implacable, Enmity g 

Ib:;tweentiKm, ihatgrcat Parties were taiftd, on boti 
Sides, ftirsach other's Defence. In fhort, acivil Wj 
was much drcadtd would be ihe Confequence ; 
thcii 
Cj) A Pdirion of the Comm' 



my.tnfen tbeic IkatEcct j one tull to -ins Kingai 
ihtPoIrgr:. Arl-urr. Tba Kist Itti commwJts! 



arliinlint, Tlli«{ 
kicninpan ibem,, 

1 



»-0/ E N G L A N D. 191 

tfieir mutual Friends could do> was not fufficient lof^oe f^"™*-^ 
pacify ihe Mind of the Proteflor, or to malce tbe 
Prelate yield any further, ihin, as he thought, was be- 
coming his high Place arid Scale. In this Situ a lion ihe 
Bifhop, however, thought proper to write a Letter to 
the Duke of Be/l/or/l, Regent of France, to come over 
3d4 endeavour to heal Matters between them. The ^^^ 
Duke came accordingly, and calling a Council of Ihe ^^H 
chief Nobility at St. Albans, many hot Contefts arofe ; ^^M 
and, nothing being concluded at that time, it was ad- ^^^ 
journ'd 10 Narthampton, but, to as little puipofc ; till, 
atlaft, it was determined, that thefe Differences fliould 
be referred to Parliament. Accordingly, Writs of Sum- ^nm, j, ; . 
mons were ifliied out, dated Weftmiujiert January 7, i+;s. 
for one to meet, at Liutjicr, on the i8ih Day of Feb- *' i^'csiHr. 
ryary following. 

At which Time and Place being aflemhlcd, in the 
great Hall of the Caftle of Leicejier, much Care had 
been taken to prevent any Tumults between the great 
Trains of the Proteflor and the BIfhop, by ftrittly pro- 
hibiting anyPerfon whatfoever, to come thither with 
Swords or any other warlike Wenpon, Which Order, 
tho' it was Uterally obferved, yet the Lords and their 
Attendants came armed with Baits, or great Clubs, on 
their Shoulders; from whence this Meeting got the 
Name of i\a Parliament of Bam ; but Ihis, alio, as Thf Parfisnidu 
foon as it was taken notice of, was prohibited (z). of Bji[i. 
Being all, at length, ftt in a peaceable manner, as a- 
forefaid, the young King being there, alfo, prefent, the 
Bifhop of IVinfhe/ler, as Lord Chancellor of England^ 
declared the Caufe of the Summons, in a very ihort 
Manner; for, af[er telling them that the King's Will * 

was, that alt Eftaies fliould enjoy their Libenies, he 
took his Subject from thele Wordsof St. Paul; Sic 
faeite ui fatvi fiiis. 

Tbcfe the le.irned Prelate divided into three Parts, 
and referred them ' Fitft lo God, for proteding the 
' Faith of (he Church, againft all Invjfiona from Lot- 
* lards and Hcreticks -, fecondly, by imparting found 
' Counfel J and, laftly, by granting the fever^l necd- 
' ful 



r 92 The Parliamentary H 1 s T o R r 

ll^Henry VI.' ful SubfiJies. By which, hc affirmed, three VinuM 

* and Conveniences would follow, iA:l. Glory to God, 

* by protcdliDg his Faith ; Honour to the King, by re- 
' ceiving good Advice j and Peace lo the Subjeft» by 

* their liberal Grants. In alt .which he defircd, that 
' every Eftate of this Parliament would labour | and 
' that the Commons would chufe, and the next Day 
' prefent their Speaker.' 

The King's Leiters Patents were read, whereby he 
appointed fohn Duke of Bedford his Commiffioner, to 
prorogue and diflblve this Parliament at his Pleafure., 

SifRTclianJVer-The fame Day the Commons prefented, before the,-. 

noD ^ofea King, Sir SJibardVermn, Knight, to be their Speaker jf 
'"^'' who, with The common Proteftation, was allowed. ^ 

■^* ' Then the Commons exprefled their great Diflikc &]>. 

■*- the Dilii;ntions between V)n'/,z Humphrey z^A theBilhopt 

of IVinitefter, arid moved fbr their Reconcilement. 
On which; the Duke of Bedford, feme Bifiiops, aii4|, 
oiher Lords, made a folemn Decree amongft ihemrj- 
lelves, la hear and determine the faid Difference, with-i' 
out Favour or AffViSion ; and, at the fame lime Co giv^. 
no Encouragement to either oi' them to break thePeav^ 
Which Order, after every one of the Lords had fwoEII 
loobfirve, they fe;it a Copy of it to the Common^' 
They then procfcled in the Matter, and, at lengi^ 
cauied the faid Duke and Biihop, by their formal Inf 
ftrumentE, to have iheir Dilpuies compromifed, aiwj 
referred to the Decilion of a lel&a Commilice of cerf __ 
lain BKhopsand Lords; who, aftei fome time, came 
to this Refolution abour ihem : Firil, that the iaid 
Biftiop of IVinthfJifT fhould fuhmit himfelf to the King's 
Mercy ; which he did accotdingly. And, then tht 
Duke of Bedford, in open I'arliament, pronounced t% 
laid Bifhop innocent of what was alkdged againft hi 
in ihat hc procured a Perfon lo murder the iate Kinj, 
when he wa^ Prince, as the Murderer himfelf con feJfe 
who wss drowned by the Earl of ArundtJ. And, alio, 
in that he fliould counfel and a.ivife the faid Prince to 
have dcpofed Henry ihe Fonnh his Father. Likewife,- 
it was aw.irded by the laid Committee, that the "■" — ■ 
flioutd acknowledge his Offence to the Duke 
eejer, and, io a fiimilEve Manner, aik his Pardon 



0/ E N G L A N D. 1^3 

that the faid Duke (hould freely forgive him ; and, in Kins Hwry VI, 

Token of a ihorotigh Reconciliation, each fliould take 

the other by the Hand, which was accordingly done 

before the whole Allembly, Some time after the Bi- 

Ihop of Tfincbejler petitioned the P.itliament to be dif- 

chat^ed of the great Seal, as Chancellor, which, by 

comtnon Confenr, was granted. 

This is all the Account which the Abridgtr of the 
Reards has thought lit to extraifl, relating to thisftrong 
Contention between ihefe two Noblemen ; who, 
though fo nearly related as Uncle and Nephew, yet 
they ftitl carried on that implacable Malice agaiiift each 
other, as ended not but in the Dca;h of one or both 
of them. However, our elder Chronicles are not fo 
filent in this Matter ; they tell us, that when tlie Af&ir 
of the Quarrel was brought before the Parliament, and 
each Party allowed to plead bis Ciufe freely, the Pro- 
teftor, who looked upon himfelf as the Perton aggriev- 
ed, exhibiied live Articles againft the Bifliop, lo ail 
which he was urged to give in hisAiifwer. Which 
Arricles, being very extraordinary, and then thought 
not unworthy a Parliament's Notice, cannot be be- 
neath the Reader's Perufal. 

Articles (a) of Aecufnthn prefinted to the Parliamenl f-'^''^" =;='"'* 
by the Duke »/ Glouceftcr, again/I Uzmy, ^'■^'f"/KiZ'^m!!.' 
"Wincheftcr, withbis Anjwersto thnnfivtralfy. che(Ve'r"wiih"hi» 

I. That Richard JVoedvile, Efq; Keeper of the*"'*' 
Tower of Lendoti, did by the In(tLp:ation and Encou- 
ragement of the faid Bifhop of OHncheJiir, deny Ad- 
mittance [o him the faid Duke of GLuce^er, then be- 
ing Protestor of the Kingdom, into the Tower, con- 
trary 

fM) A Copy of Ihefe Artidn «5 in /&//"• and mWxgJhtad-i Cbrt- 
wihi, but they m only five in Number. The Anfwec the BiOiop 

Ere to the Subjlincc of the Letter it nude a fepanle Atticlt< The 
ttw ilfelf, fthLch the Biflinp of miehrftcr fent to iht Duke afBiiif<«-d, • 
« prcferved in oar oW Chronicles, in its original UngusE* '» followi ■ 

■ Ryht highe and n^ighiy frince and ni]> r^ghic noble ind, after one. 
level) Loide, I recomnKnd me unto yauulih all iry Hutc. And a> 
yos dcfyre dio Welftit of ih< King car Sovertign Lotde, and of hii 
Jteabnei of Ettglanii m& Frrtncr,' and yonr awne Health imd ourl 
■Ifo, to had you heiher, for, by My Ttouthe, if yoa taty we Ihall fut 
ihiildnde in AdTniturc with a fi^lde, fucb a Brc:ber ran hiTe her . 

Vot. M. N tioJ 



With a fufficient Number of arm'd M^ 
keeping of the Tower, and {hould not 
Man 10 come into the Tower ftronger \\ 
without the fpecial Commandmeht of tl: 
the Advice of his Council. After this ( 
the Duke of Gh'icefter returning put of H 
not approving the fortifying the Tow( 
Citizens, who were diflatisfied at it, 3 
been in England itjbotild riot have been fo j 
diately going to the Tower demanded > 
but WoodviU not daring to give him Ent 
to the Bifliop of Winchejier for Advict 
him, That the Duke ^/Gloucefter ttiok m 
than he ought ^ and that before he admitted 
Tower y he ought to provide hivifelfa fufficit 
of the King and Council for his Jo doing coi. 
former Order. 
II. That the Lord Bifliop of IVmchefl 
the Advice or Confentof the Lord Diike c 
or of his Majefty*s Privy Council, contri\ 
pofed to lay Hands on his Majefty's Perf 
have removM him from Eltham^ the Place 
then in, to fyindfor^ there to put him un< 
vernment of fuch Perfons as he pleas'd. 



■^0/ E N G L A N D. 



tpS 



' any Thing about the King's Perfon without the Ad- King Henty V 
' viceof [he Privy Council, as in Time and Place he 

* could prove. 

III. 'J'hai the Lord Bilhop of fPincbeJier knov/'mgy 
that the Duke of Gkucejler had refolv'd to prevent his 
DefigQ of leizing the King's Perfon at Eltham-, laid 
wait for him, by placing arm'd Men at the End of 
jLwi^i- Bridge, and in the Windows of the Chambers 
and Cellars in SflwAwar^, to have kill'd him, ifhehad 
pafs'd that Way ; all which is againft the King's Peace, 
and Dutv of a true Subjeft. 

The Bi/hop's Defence to this heavy Chaise was this, 

* That true indeed it is, that he did provide a certain 
' Number of arm'd Men, and fet them at the Foot of 
' iaWw-Bridge, and other Places, without any In- 
' teniion to do any bodily Harm to the Duke of Gls- 
" cfjier, but merely for his own Safery and Defence, 
' being inform'd by feveral credible Perfons, that the 
' Lord Duke of Gimiefter had purpofed bodily Harm 

* lo him, and gaiher'd together a Company of Citizens 
' for [hat End," 

IV. That the late King HetiTy the Fifth told him. 
That when he was Prince, a Man was feized in his 
Chamber, who was hid behind the Hangiogs, and con- 
feffed after his Apprehenfion, that he was fet at work 
by the Bi(hop of ^i>/f/ii/?jr, to kill the Prince in ha 
B;d. He wasdeliver'd to the Earl of Arundel, who 
drown'd him in a Sack in the Thama. 

To this Accufation the Bifhop reply'd, * That he 

* was ever a true and faichOjl Subjeft to his Sovereigns, 

* and never purpofed or contrived any Treafon againft 

* any of their Perfons, and efpecially againft his Sove- 

* reign Lord King Henry the Fifth. And this he 

* thought was fufficienlly evident to any, that confi- 

* der'd ihe great Wifdom and Couiage of the faid 

* King, and the great Truft he repoled in him io 

* long as he remained King, which he would not have 

* done bad he found him gu)l[y of fwch Unfiilhfulnefs 

* to him while he was Prince. 

V. That the B.flitjp of IVincheJler in the Sickncfs 
of King Hinry the Fourth, advifed his Son Prince 
, to aSume the GovernmBnt of the Nation be- 
N 2 foie 



1^6 The Parliamentary History 

iOiig Henry VI, ^°^^ ^^ Father's Death, as the faid Prince himfelf 
^*^ 'him. 

The Biftop reply 'd, * That this was meer Caluini 

* which could not be proved ; and he hoped the Pari 

* ment would appoint them Judges, that he might i ' 

* dicate his Honour, or elfe leave him to fue out 

* Right before fuitable Judges/ 
VI. That the Lord BiQiop of mnchefter had, in 

Letter to the Duke of Bedford^ plainly declared 
malicious Purpofe of aflembling the People, and i'' 
fing up a Rebellion in the Nation contrary to 
King's Peace. 

The Bifhop's Anfwer to this Accufation was, 

* he never had any Intention to difturb the Peace 

* the Nation, or raife any Rebellion, but fent to 1 

* Duke of Bedford to come over in hafte to fettle 

* Things that were prejudicial to the Peace ; t 

* though he had indeed written in the Letter, TStff 

* he tarried^ we ft>all put the Land in Adventun tj 

* Fieldj fuch a Brother you have here ; He did ^ 

* mean it of any Defign of his own, but concer 

* the feditious Aflemblies of Mafons, Carpenters, Ti 

* and Plaifterers, who being diftafted by the late Aft 

* Parliament againft exceflive Wages of ihofe Tiadf 

* had given out many feditious Speeches and Menac 

* againft the great Men, which tended much to RoJ 
' bellion ; and yet the Duke of Gkucejler did not 

* his Endeavour, as he ought to have done in his Plj 

* to fupprefs fuch unlawful Aflemblies, fo that he fe 

* ed the King and his good Subjedls muft have madci 

* Field to withftand them : To prevent which, I 

* chiefly dcfired the Duke of Bedford to come over.' 
Which are rff- This Charge, and the Anfwers to it being thus dcP' 
ferrM to a feieftycr'd into the Parliament, the further Examination of 
Commii^rc. j^ ^^^g |^y ^j^^ Uow^ts devolv'd upon a feleift Numbdfi 

of Lords, viz. Henry hxchb\{!tio^ of Canterbury ^Vsemi 
Duke cf Exeter, John Duke of Norfolk {b)^ Tbomdt 
Bifhop of Dttrham^ Philip Bifhop of Worcejler^ JtU 
Bifliop of Bath, Humphrey Earl of Staffirdy Ralpb Lflrf 
Corrrjual^ and Matter Allenwicke. Keeper of the Priv^ 

Seili 

{h) Jobriy Lord Monbrty, was hot Duke of AVj^W, till aft* 
the Kecondliation of the D«ke of QhiKcller and the Biibvp of ^^ 



0/E N G L A N D. 15)7- 

Seal, who having thoroughly examin'd all Matters, ac- King Henry vi, 
quitted the Biftiop, and by a formal Award enjoin*d 
them to be firm Friends for the future ; and by foch^,^^^^*^^^' 
Inducements wrought upon them, that they ftiook charge. 
Hands, and parted with all outward Signs of perfedl 
Love and Agreement, which gave a mighty Satisfs-dtion 
to all People, both of the Clergy and Laity. And the a Reconciliation 
King, by the Advice of his CounciU made a magnificent between him and 
Fcalt at iVHtfuntide ^ to rejoice for ihis happy Reconci J^[^ ^^ °^ 
liation* At this Feaft the Duke of Bedford^ Regent of 
France j knighted Kin^ Heniy^ who immediately made 
Richard Plantagenet Earl of Cambridge^ D-ake of York ; 
andrcftor'd Johnhox^. Mswhray^ Earl-Marftial, Son of 
Thomas Duke of Norfolk^ who was banifh'd by Richard 
the Second, to the Title and Stile of Duke of Norfolk ; . 
and made above forty others Knights. After this the Par- 
liament fat till Jt/Ltieiht 15 th following ; but did nothing 
more than raifc a Supply of Men and Money to carry on 
the Conqueft of France^ which were gathered out ot the 
great Cities and Towns of the Kingdom chiefly. 

The whole Bufinefs of this Scflion of Parliament, 
was, almoft employed, in fettling the Differences be- 
tween thefe two great Men, very little elfe of Moment 
being done at it. What is any ways fignificant, is as 
follows : 

After the Bifliop of Winchefler was difcharged of thq 
ChancellorQiip, Johi^ Bjfliop of Bath and IVelhy was, 
alfo, difmifled from being Treafurer of England ; .and 
the latter delivered to the Duke of Bedford the King's 
great Seal of Gold, in a Leathern Bag, which the 
Duke took, fhewed it openly, and afterwards gave 
the fame to John Kempe^ Bifhop of London^ as Chan- 
cellor of England (r). 

The Bifliop of Durka'u^ by veriuc of a Privy Seal 
to.him direftcd, delivered the laft Will and Teftament 
of Henry Y. which was fealed with the great and privy 
Seals of the private Signet, to the Lords of the Council^ 
who gave the fame to the fafe keeping of Maiter //'//// j;;2 
A$ienwick, Keeper of the Privy Seal. It was then, alfo 
cn^ed, that the Lords of the Council (lull have full 

N 3 Power 



(c) Soon after made Archbifhop of York, 

Ll NjEVE'i rtifli l^r■^ A'-.g, 




A SnbSdy. 



P 



1 p8 The ^arliametitary History 

xii^ilMTr VI. Power to bind the King, his Heirs and Succeflbrs, ifl 
his Cicdicors in one Security for 40,000 1 

It was enatt-ed. That the King's Council fliould 
have Power to end a!i fuch BiHs as are noi finiihed by 
Parliament. And, March 10, the Cliancellor of £«(j:!U 
hnd, by a Commiffion from the King, prorogued tUd 
Parliament from the fame Day, unto Monday ne^ 
afier the Feaft of St. C(}rge, at Leicejler, aforcfaid. J) 
But, tho' this Prorogation was only to the latter 
End of jfpril, we hear of no more of theii Proceedings 
'till the firft Day of June; when, by common Aflent, 
the fame Subfidy on Wools, <Jfc. with Tonnage and 
Poundage, was granted for two Years, as in the pre- 
cecding Parliaments. 
Attack upon the Id the Petitions we find, that another Stroke was made 
Clergjr. at the Clergy ; which was, thai no Man ftiould make 

any Advowion, Prefentaiion, Collation, or Induftion, 
to any Foreigner of any Benefice or other Ecclefiaftical 
Dignity, on Pain of a Prtemmirs. And, itrat every 
Perfon might prefent again lOr ilie-Non-Refidence of 
the Incumbent- To-.the firil, the King will be ad- 
vifed ; and to the other, the Biftiops have promiled 10 
take Order therein. 

It is probable ihefe Anfwers of the King to the Peti- 
tions of the Commons, on the foregoing Headi, which 
amounted imhe firft to a Denial of palTing the Billy. 
proceeded from the ftrong Remonftrances which Ma/^ 
tinV. ihen Pcpe, had ina-ie both to the King and^ 
The Popt'3 Me- Parliament againft it. The Pope's Letters on thi» 
X*^ r°"" "* occation, are preferved by Bifliop Burr.el j the latter 
torepuiib/sia. '^^ which to thi- Parliament, requiring them utterly to 
tute of Ptoii- repeal the Statute of Prcvlfirs, is fo fingular, as to de- 
■DRi. ferve a Place in thele Enquiries, in its own Language, 

under ibis Note (*?), The next Inftrument, trom the 
fame 

{dj MAiTisnsE/i/n^w, Sirvm StrawTan Dei, vCKcriiiliiui Frt-^ 
tribia & diUaii Film, Naiilii:,! writ? Aiii/iKrini i^wn Ai«lt|fi3l 
Sa/alan & j^JhUcaa BiKidiBienim. ^ 

Afu/ni nutiii ae frcqucniibut abar-iBtlmiiat, fro dtbia fafitraSt {M 
Jicii, va ac Rigmm ■aifinm tuBnut admrnu'imi, m pro Jaluti animiM 
ram vffirarum, & ipfivs Rtnii bciim aucddam daifijSiU Slanium antra 
Di^i,»m,&Maman.mJ.,.d^<^, ,„d jint l„,J,uMut,. *(.™* ».«/- 
ifKuM fcmari fatjl, aMrtiur. Ei fmnnni id /"c ParUamam tolli 



f 



0/ E N G L A N D. ipp 



^Qie Aulhority, contains the Subftance of a Speech K^g Henry vi» 
jBj^ by, the Archbifhop of Canterbury to the Houfe of 
QoaMnOn^) to move' them to a Repeal of that A£t. 
. Upon the 30th of January thisSeflion, the Archbi- The Archbiftop 
fbopa of Canterbury and Tork^ the Bifliops of London^ of Canterbury's 
St. A^W^'s, my, and Norwich, with the Abbots" of ^^^^,„'°JS*^^^ 
W^fflinjifr and Reading, went to the Houfe of Com- vour of 'h-- 
mpi)g< ibcn fitting, according to Cuftom, in the Rcr p^p^'* ^^«°*™^' 
iei!^y. o£. the Abbey of Wcftmi^ft4r\ And here, the 
Arcbt^ithpp of Canterbury declared the Occafion ojF 
hi3 cbmiBg» premiiing a Proteftation, that neither 

N 4 himfeff 

nm f^ffiy ex parte Cbariffmi in Cbnjio Tilii nofiri Henrici Re^i Aogliae 
tUufiis^ DileQoFiHo Maftfiro Julia no Caujarum curia Camera A^oHca: 
Jfyiif^^ ttktc Nuncio ^ftro, rejponfi/m toetitit, in quo {fuam pr'imum 
t^€t) omvocato, quod ^bi foffibile firet pro nofiri Requifaionis extcii' 
twitje jaQurum^ idem Rex polUcitui eft^ protefiam JurAlui ac Frvvilegih 
SmmSJt IMkaiut Eetlejia & Sedisjipoftolicattt nulla velle detrabere aut dt- 
rfVtfrr. ' itis vokntet fo/ita erga vgs manfuetudim uti, decre^'imus tifjue 
ad'ipfiusFarliamenti tempus expeSlare, Jperantes quod twn Rex jiixta juam 
Mepam Vrmmjponmy 'quam voi pro falute animarum veBrarutk, Sande at 
CmSkie ftnmdwm wfram Requijitionem conchdetts. Itaque cum Pariia- 
meutiim {utferttar) jam inftety vcs omnes quorum animas nojira cura Do- 
minus ao^ Jefns ChiiAnscomnufit, bortamur, monemus, obfecramuSy ut una- 
nfma 'v^rarum animarum Jalutem, ac conjdentiarum puritatem prat cateris 
rebut antantesypradiffum abominabile Statutum (quod qui obfervat vel ob- 
fcrvari fadat ialtari non poteft) penitus tollatur, & de Regno in perpe- 
tutaa abaleatis, ^uod Ji quis furjitan vobis contrarium perjuadere audeaty 
quieurifue ille Jity Sacularis vel Ecclefiajiici Status y tanquam boftem anim 
imarum vifirarufh & bonorum nullatenus audite \ nee cum virum Catboli- 
cum reputetiiy qui adwerfus Romanae Ecclcjia Au&oritatemy Juraque Of 
Fnwlegia Sedi ApojloUca Divinitus concejj'a, aliquid macbinari prttjump- 
jerity quibus ipfe Rex veftfr Illujiris nolle ullatenus dcrogare publice tr^- 
t^ieiha «i. Not quidem ipji famus ab omnibotenti Deo Jelu Chvifto, juper 
vat ^ Uttt'oerfaUm Ecclejlam conftitutiy cujus DoEirina ac perfuajioni fine 
mlla Contradi^ione omnimodam fidem vos & quilibet Chriftianus babere de» 
heiis s Not tamcuy etfi indignosy oves fuas pafcere Chriflus vcluit, clavef" 
qm aperlendi ac folvendi Ceelos tradidit. Et fi quis ncs audit y fervi 
Cl^m tefiimonium Chri(}iamim audit \ ^ fi quit rot jt>ernity Chhftum 
fpen^ere cotmincitur, Et quoniam de vobit ac firtgulis Chriftianis in di* 
friBo. Dei Judicio raticnem rcddituri fumuty ideo vos pro falute veftra 
tsm fdlpe tamque effiraciter admonemut ^ & ne quijquam Jub alicujut 
dawtni Jeiiporalit pratextu vos ab bac nojlra Catbolica DoSirina fubmoveat, 
ecce f|0x promptos paratofjue cfierimus, omnibut caufisy prober quas di&vm 
Sfatu'tum' epnditum effe pratenditur, falubriter provider ey it a ut^ nee Regi^ 
mac' cuiqptanil privttta ptrfome prajuaicium aliquod ex ipfiut Statuti aboli- 
tfifit poffit accidere. Supt:r bis omnibus & noflra intentioncy plene infiru^o 
dikS9 Filio MagiCtro Joanni de Obizis, in di3o Regno Nuntio & Collet' 
tjri nofiroy dabitts Crcd^ntia pUnam fidem. 

Dot. Romae apud Sanclos ApoftolvSy tertio Die Oflobris, Pontificatui 
m/h'i jinno decimo, 

BiibopStfrffrr '5 Colleton of Records^ Vol.1* P« 99* 



To which the 
Coromoos pay i 
Kegitd. 



Anno Rcfni 6. 

1418- 
At Welhuinftsi 



k 



aoo The Tarlititneistary H i sto «. y 

himfelf nor any of his Brethren intended to offer any I 
thing in prejudice of the King's Prerogative, oraoyr 
other Part of ihe Conllituiion. After ihis PreliminaqN 
Difcouife, lie took this Text for the Subjefl of ^ 
he delign'd lo fay, Rendir unts Cajar the Things lidM 
ere Cafar'i, and unto God the Things that are Ge^&W 
From thefe Words ho took occafion to ftate the Ec^^ 
cleliaflical and Civil Jurifdi^ions, and to point out tb 
Barrier between the Church and State. From hence l^ 
went on to the Pope's Supremacy ; and, that the grant- 
ing Provifions was one Branch of ihis Privilege, he «6^ 
tempted to prove from Scripture, Prefcdption, and ibel 
general Confent of Chr!jiendom. He therefore requelt- \ 
ed Ihe Commons to confider how much the Salvation | 
of their own Souls, and the Happinefs of the King- 
dom, was concerned in giving the Pope Satis fa£lion i 
putting them in mind of the Danger of an Interdift, 
unlefs the Siatule of Prismumre was repealed : Anil 
after he had prefs'd the Puint home, and difcover'd a 
great deal of Heartinefsand ZeaUn the Affair, even with 
Tears in his Eyes, he withdrew wiih the reft of his 
Brethren. The Commons debated the Matter, but 
■0 were not fatisfy'd, it fecms, with the Archbifhop's Ar- 
guments i forthcy came to no Refolution, either for 
repealing or explaining the Ait above-mentioned ; 
But, on the contrary, refolved to petition the King 
as aforefaid (e). 

The War with Frame ftili continued to be carried on 
with great Vigour on both Sides ; but the French King 
and hisParty bad the worft of it by far, li'l the un- 
fortunate Siege of Orkatis was undertaken; which, 
being raifed by that wonderful Heroine, Jean la Pucellt, 
Ihe higHjh Intereft, in that Kingdom, from that Time 
forward, began to decay. A frefti Supply being much 
wanted for the War, Writs of Summons were ordered 
out for calling a Parliament to meet at IFeJlminfiert on 
ihe ^inJene of St. Mchael,QTOiSsier the 14th, in the 
Year 14-8. When being all aflembled before the 
King, in the Painted Chamher of the Palace, jihn 
Kempe, Archbifhop of T/irk, then Chancellor, opened 
ihe Caufe of the Summons, taking for his Text thefc 
Words 



^^*"0f ENGLAND. If 

Words, out of Maccabm^ Sine Providemh RegaU im- KingH«iy vi. 
p^biU eft Pacem Regibui dare; from which lie deduced 
"I two Heads of Difcourfe. 

' The firft, was the Duly of ihe Prince towards his 
' Subjefls ; and the other the Duty of the Suhjefls lo 
' their Prince. The firft of tliefu he again fubdhfided 
' into three otiier Points belonging to it i that the Sub- 
' jeits (hould be defended from any foreign InvaGon ; 
' that Juftice fhould be indifferently adminiftred j and 
' that Peace ftiould be kept within the Realm. Three 

* Things, he faid, alio, belonged to the Subjedls ; 
' firft, that they (hould grant large Supplies for iheir 

* better Defence in T ime of War ; in Peace, that they 
■ would readily obey their Magiftrates, and meekly to 

* fubmit themfelves to the known Laws of the Land. 

* All which the better to accomplifli, the King had 

* called this Parliament, and confirmed all their Li- 

* berties: And, that Bufinefs might be fooner begun 

* and ended, he defired the Commons to make Choice 

* of a Speaker, and prefent him the next Day before 

* the King.' Accordingly the Commons chofe Jehn p\,„T-,n(l,ZtiG 
Tyrril, Efqjwhofe Exciife not being allowed, with the =ifflsi Spnkei, 
ufual PrDieftation, he was admitted. 

This Parliament is laid to have ftt, from the Date 
aforcfaid, to theSrli Djyof Dnember ; but no Account 
of any Bufmefs done at it, is given us. By reafon of 
Chrifimai Holidays, it was then prorogu'd, by the Lord 
Proiedtor, to the ^tindeut of St Hilary, or "January 
the z8th following. 

The firft Thing we find then mention'd, is theASubfidy, 
Grant of a large Subfidy, which was three Shillings a 
Tun for all Wine imported, and twelve Pence in the 
Pound for all Merchandize. Bcfidesthis, there was % 
kind of a PsU-Tax granted, which, tho' not generaljAndiPoll-T^x. 
was laid on every Parilh thai w^s worth ten Marks per 
Annum; tenofthechiefeft P^rilhioners in ir were to 
pay fix Shillings and eight Pence a Head. And In eve- 
ry Pjrifh [liat was worth ten Pounds a Year, the like 
Number of Parifhiooers were each to pay a Alark. In 
all Corporations, it was ordain'd, that every Perfon, 
worth abuvc twenty Shillings, befides his Apparel and 
Houfliuld Goods, flioulJ pay four Pence each to the 
King ; 



Alb fiScl. 



zo% 7he Parliamentary History 

Kinj Henry VI. Kjng j and fo proporupnabiy for every twenty thqf ,1 
were worth more; by whicti meaijs. this Tax ra^dl 
confidcraWe Suins in ihe Cities and Borougljs. , ^ I 

Scveial uleful Statutes were pafsd this Parlja-J 
ment ; Firft, That by reafon of the quicjt Return 
of Capiiis's in [he King's Bench, ^Jf/£f'j/;.,w'ere granted 
and awarded, whereby divers Perfbns beingbybaj'e and 
fraudulent PrailiccsQutlaw'd, their Goodf aad Chatr 
tels were immediately feiz'd as forfeiiefl to the Kingj 
and 16 divers of his Majelly's good and 'faiiliful Subjeflj 
were utterly undone, as by Com pi aim pE the' Com- 
mons in Parliament doth appear. Tberifore, before 
any Exlgenis fhall be granted for the futuie, every 
Capias Ihall be diredeti to the Sheri£-, at Icatt lis 
Weeks ; and if upon the Return the J ud^s fliajl think 
fit to grant ati Exigent^ thty may proteeci as formerly } 
' but that if any be granted before the R.etuijn' of tfie WrU 
they (hall be Void. 

Second, That SheriiFs (hall be oblig'di under thp Pe-> 
nalty of Forty Pounds, todelivcr to all Plaintiffs,. Te-» 
rants or Defcndjints, a true Copy of their Pannels fix 
■ Days before the Alfizes, when they {hall be fo requii'd 
by the laid Piaintlffi or Di.-fciidants. , 

Third, Whereas Sheriffs by corrupt Juries^bave beeh^ 
wrongfullyindiiled to the Jofticesof Affiae, for Oiakr' 
ing falfe Returns of the Knigbts chofen In their fefet^] tl 
Shires to ferve in Parliament, by which Means tnq.J 
Sheriffs were liable to pay loo/. Forfeiture, and thv^l 
Knights luft their accuftom'd Wages in'Wrlia^enbjj 
without Remedy ; therefore, it was enatled that t^ 
Sheriffs and Knights againft whom any Inquefti^ or C 
ficesof ur^due Eleflion are found, fliall for thefuIuiS 
have their Anfwer and Ttaverfe to fuch Inquefts ia 
Offices, and fhall not be endamag'd till duly convidle^ 

Fourthly, It was ordained alfoby this P,irliament, ^i ' 
feveralCommiffiors of Sewers fhould be iltued out by il _^ 
Chancellor of England, into different Parts of the Kin^ 
doirt, to cleanfe and repair allWalis, Diiches,_Gut(eis 
Bridges, Wears, tff . to prevent the great, ^imdatjp[j 
of the Sea and Rivers, vchlch had then happene4 in, 4^^ 
yctt Parts of the Nation. And, a Form of a C>q,iiv1 
miflJon was compos'd ou Purpofe that it might b^i^-fl 



0/ ENGLAND. 203 

moreeSe^al; and an Order U annex'd to it, that form,,! 
ten Ye*rs next enfuing they Ihould be fo Itriilly execut- 
ed, that all Water-Courfes {hould be deans'd, and the 
Nalion fecur'd againft frequent Inundarions. 

Some Matters of lefs publick Concern next occurs j 
as that it was ordained, by the King and the o:her E- 
ftaCet of the Realm, that no Man fhould contr^cl or 
nuiry hirafelf to any Queen of EngloNd, without a 
Ipecial Licence firlt obiain'd from the King, on the 
Forfeiture of all his Lands and Goods to the Crown. 
It is remark'd by ihe Abridger, that the Bifiiops and 
the inferior Clergy agreed to this Bill, fo far as not lo 
CMJtradiift the Laws of God, and the Church, and 
fo as no deadly Sin Ihouid be occafion'd by It. Jt isTheQjnnDnr- 
probable that ihis Ad was occafion'd by the humble ^"'"'^" 
Marriage of Queen Katherine ; who about this Time " ""' 

"" id tbtMJghi fir to take to her Bed, Owen Tuder, a 

Htb Gentleman of no great Fortune, but faid to be 
rdefcended from their CadwaUadtr, the firit of the Bri- 
tip> Princes, and a long Race of his Delcendants {/"). 

Although the Breach between Yi\:^z Humphrey and 
die Bifliop of Wiiuhejlir had been in fome Meafurc 
cloied by a formal Concord and Agreement, made pub- 
lickly in the lift Parlisment, yet it was too wide, at 
firft, ever to admit of a thorough Re-Union. The Tht Biftop of 
Prelate, by hislntereft or his Money, had found Means winthcflnnui* 
to (d)tain a Cardinal's Hat from R^mt j and hf this" *^"'''"»'' 
Elevation in the Church thought himfelf more than 
equali in Dignity, to the Proteitor of England. 
The iMtfr's Jealouly, in being eclips'd, wc may fup- 
po&i, occafion'd a Motion being made, in this Patlia- 
meaxy to both Houfes, by himfelf, for explaining the 
THtie and Power uf a ProieQor, or Di^fenderof the 
Realm i afiirming, that he would not fit in the Houfe 
till he underftood what it was, (ince, as he faid, Peo- 
ple fpoke differently of it. 

This Affair was taken into Confidcntion hy the* Dirpute br. 
Kit.^s Council and the LordsotP^'liament ; and after '""" i''"'"'' 
due Del.bcraiion this Anfwtr was returned toiheDukc„L7d«u=r^ 
by them. * That they did not think he had any great hi 
* Right 



(f) BUn 



Sua. Da-iil in Kiif. 



, p. jSi. 



ao4 Tl^e Tarltamemary H i sT o r r 

KiuHuuy VI. ' Right [0 be Proteftor, yel to fatistie his Defire theyi 

* were content he fhould be fo, and have fuch Powcra 
' was allowed him by Parliament in ihefirftofthis 

* Reign. But, that the Name of the Proteiiar and 
'/ * />^/>nijfr imported, only, a perfonal Duty of Atten- 

' dance, in the aflual Defence of the Realm againft fo-. 

* reign Enemies and inward Rebels ; and not any par- 
' liclar Authority, fuch as properly belorgs to TutorSjT 
' Lieutenants, Governors or Regents, for if they hail 

* defigned otherwife they then would have exprciled ir 

* at the Time aforefaid. Thus, it was allowed that 
' in Council, as principal Counfellor, he haj Pie^ 
' heminence ; but in Parliament, he had no CLiiD M 
' any higher Place than as Duke of Glocijier ; fo thej 

* defired him to he content with his Place in Pailiameni 

* and with the other Power afligned him, for they (houU 

* agree to no other Delerminitton.' Ttiis Order, or A* 
^vard, w^s fubfcrib'd by all theBi(bops, Loiuiandothert 
of the King's Council there prefent. Lallly. it was 
enafled, by Confenc of Parliament, that the Lords of thaj 
King's Council fhould have full Power to deEerminc .al|t 
Petitions not yet ended, with the Advice of the Judge 
And, accordingly, fevcra! Bills and Petitions were ai 
fwered and indorfed, by certain Lords, named in iba 
Eccoid, who met in the Star Cbamlir for tbM 
Purpofe. . L 

y. SiKve tell U6 of an odd Affiiir, ihar, he fays, hai>4 

pened this Parliament, which was this ; 

A Female Re- * One Mifltefs Sloiei, with divers other flout Wc_^ 

montoance lu c jjjgn oi Lmdsn, of good Account and well apparrell'dj 

BubiiTiiTDgke. ' came openly io ihe upper Houfe of Parliainei% 

' and delivered Letters to the Duke of Ghcejler^ to th« 

' Archbifliops, and other Lords there prefent, containing 

' Matters of Rebuke and Ih.irp Reprehenfion to (he laid: 

' Duke of Ghetjler becaufe he would not deliver hiil 

' 'W\iejaqueliiis, out of hiT grievous Imprilonmentifi 

* heing 1 hen detained Prifoiier by the Duke of Burgun* 

* dy, and fuffering her there to remain, unkindly, ' 
' whilft he kept another Adulterefs, contrary to ihi 

* Law of God and the lionourablc Eftate of Matm 
' mony \g) '. But what good Succefs this virtuous Re- 

monftraiice, 

Ig) ttcwi'saren. P, 369. 



ENGLAND. 

onftrance, from the Ladies, had , our Author is filent ; Kin| Hcniy vi 
e may very well fuppafe their Arms too feeble to hurt ; 

I greni a Man as the Lord Protestor. 
The next Year, being the eigliih of tliis King, ano- '"""',^^' '' 
r Parliament was fiimmoned to meet at fye/JminjUr ^t Weftminltei. 
ft the Day after the Feaft of St. Matlheio, or September 
"d; and being all affembled, the King himfelf fitting 
[he Chair of State, in the Painted Chamber^ John 
dibifhop of Tw^', Lord Chancellor, opened theCaufe 
^IsSummons, under thefe Words of St. Luke, ^w- 
itjlabit Regnunt, &c. 

From which Text, he argued ' That in the Realm 
^England, three Caafes were to be noted whifhhin- 
ilered its Advancement. Firft, Want of Faith, was 
► the Root of all Vice, Ma qusd Jme Fide impojfibile eji 
\.p!acere Deo ; the Second, Want of Fear, which was 
'jhc chief in every good Mind, Nam qui nibil timet , 
fegligit i and, Laftlv, the Want of upright Juftice, 
Bie Pillar of every Kingdom, for. Ex Jujiitiafequi- 
r Pax, et ex Pace Rcium Ai?ui!da'ilii2 maxime pre- 
^reatur. 
* Inftead of thefe three Virtues, three aliominaWc 
Vices, he faid, were fprung up ; namely. Infide- 
lity, by Errors and Herefies ; Obftinacy, inftead of 
Fear; and Oppreliion in the Place of Juftice. Through 
Hnfidelity, he told them, that the late Troubles in 
'Germany^ and the Deftrufllon of ihc Kingdom of 
pohemia hadhappened. Fear, heagaindividcdin two 
l*arls, theonelpiritual and viriuous, as fearing God 
land Man for God; the other carnal and vicious, 
mom whence fprung Murmurs and Rebellion, which 
hvould procure fuch Deftruilion as happened to Da- 
mthan and Abiram. From Oppteilion, enfued the 

p transferring of Kingdoms, according to the wife Man, 

■* • Rigmin alienum in Regnnm tramfertur pnpier In- 

* juftitias y Injurias. But that it" ttue Faith, due 

* Fear, and ftriil Juftice was rcftored, there was then 

* no doubt but this would be a flourilhing Kingdom. 

* He concluded, That as the Prince wns bound to de- 

* fend the Subjei^Sf and to keep Peace, fo ought the 

* Subjeds to grant lai^ely to the Prince out of their 

* Goods, that he might beenabled toperform thefame, 



2o6 The Tarliamentary History 

KiiiE Hcnrj VI, ' to which End the faid Parliament was called. He 
' then direiSedihc Commons tochufe theirSpeafcer, and 
' prefent htm as ulual'. 
.Wllunj AiiiBB- The next Day the Commons came again before the 
Mn^^qj c io en Yi\a^ and Lorcs ; when certain of their Members in- 
formed'ihe Houfe that they had chofen one William Al- 
lingtm Eliq; to be their Speaker, but defired a Refpite of 
two Days before they prefented fiim ; which, being 
granted, the faid IVillmm Allington-, on the fourth Day 
of theSeflion, made the ufual Proteftation, and was 
allowed. 

During the Sitting of this Parliament, ihe King 
having now entered into the ninth Year of his Age, 
and fliewing a toward Pregnancy of Wit and Parts, 
it was thought proper to admit him, as it Were, into 
his regal Dignity, by a Coronation. Accordingly, 
■nicKineerown-on the 6th oi November, being theFeaft of St. Leonard^ 
traorVp dif-"" '''^ Ceremony was performed at fP'e/tminfiertV/lihgrezi 
'-'■'i. Solemnity. And, very foon after, a Motion was 

made in the Houle of Lords, ' That fince the King 
' had taiten upon him the PrdtedHon and Defence of 
' the Realm by his Coronation, the Name and Power 
' of ProiEiitor and Defender, granted to the Dukes of 
' BiJ/ird and Ghucejier, from the Day of the faid Co- 

* ronaiioti, Oiould utterly ceafe. And, that they the 

* faid Dukes fliould have the Name of principal Coun- 

* fellors, only -, any Order to the coiitraryi notwijb- 
' ftanding.' Which Motion, after fome Debate, was 
agreed to by the whole Houfc ; and the Duke of Bed- 
ford (landing up, in full Parliament, did relinquifb Ihe 
faid Tiiles, as to his own Perfon, fo always that the 
ffltrt Releafe fhould no way hurt hjs Title as Duke of 
Bedford {h). 

It 

(b) TIic Manorial of thii whole Pncnding in Parliament, it in the 
Publiclc ASa 1 in which a this lenurkibii^ Chigr>:. 

Prg a aiam qiad, Aoi^aminn Jiligenii & Delibirtiiin, mi«ra baHth 
iair Dae:mu Sfsrinalti & Ttmfcrelii, in pnrfinri'PMrlrammii ruifltata, 
amm diBcm Nanm Protefturia St OtlLiifom, nc Ciuja pr^'aa, 
ajfart Mirit.'n^'uf AuJiliJgui Sf hlillcaU niin«ulla ••mbiSim Ra- 
Uinitai ^ MigefKnibm in ttc Parte fiSii, t/mJim inVihlar Jr^flilii 
fimiiUs Sfirinialiiiii & Timptrtlitul, juvi iHiium Nhscb ^nua^if & 
Dtftfjerii, a Tiapsrt Ceri!r.a:iimn frgdiSa, m Caujii frirdiBii, fft- 

UemiBiiaeaii, at. Fad. Aqi. T«ra. X. P. 436. 



. 'O^/- E N G L A N b. ao7 

It w» not till the twelfth Day of December^ that a Kioi Henry vi. 
viipply wais granted by this Parliament, of one whole 
Tintb and one Fifteenth^ to be levied on the Laity. ^ ^"^ ^*'^^^^* 
rho% afterwards, on the twentieth of the fame Month, 
tlie Commons, at the fpecial Inftance and Deiiit of the 
ffiOiop of IVinfhefter^ ju(t then made a Cardinal, grant- 
^another Tenth and a FifUifUh^ to be levied as above. 
Tbey» alfi), gave the King a Grant of Tunnage and 
Poundyge» to continue till the next Parliament. This 
fiberai Donation, at the Prelate's Requcft, (hews, that 
Ae new-made Cardinal was in high Eileem with them, 
it that Time ; and his Title has gained a Plate in the 
Records themfelves, as follows : 
. Rtvinndiffimus in Chrifto Pater Dominus Henricuf , 
Permijftene aivina^ 7itulo San^iE\ikb\\ Presbyter! Car* 
Unalisin Axa^vanuncupatus.' 

On the iamc Day the Chancellor, by the King's 
Command, mid the Confent of the Bifliops and Lords, 
prorogued Uie Parliament unto Monday next after the 
Feaft of St Hilary next enfuing, on account of the 
Efotydayg. 

Being again aflembled, the firft Thing they did was 
to take under Confideration, the prefent high Eltate of 
die Cardinal BHbop of Wincbeller \ becaufe tha( Dig- 
nity exempted him from being of the King's Council, 
but at his own Pleafure. Therefore, the reft of the 
BifliOps and Lords confented to join in an humble Re* 
queft to the (aid Cardinal, that he would vouchiafe to 
be made one of the Council, under a Proteftation that 
the &id Cardinal fhould abfent bimfelf in all Affairs 
and Counfels of the King, whenever the Pope or See 
6f Rime was concerned in them. Which Requdft, fo 
made, the Cardinal condefcended to grant under the 
£ud Condition. 

This High Prieft was at that Time in fuch Eftima- The CanUnal ia 
tion, alfo, with the Commons, in Parliament, that Pf*' ^J[*^ 
they unanimoufly joined in a Petition to the King, m<^, ' 

praying him, that, in confideration of the great and 
notable Services he had done the Crown, both under 
the prefent King and his Father, that he would grant 
him a full Pardon for whatever he had afted contrary 
to the Laws i particularly in regard to the Statute of 

Pramumt. 



io8 The Tarliatnentary History 

King Henry VI. Pfcemunire. This Petition was granted 5 and, confe- 
quehtly, the Cardinal was fkreened from all Profccu* 
tions. Two Adls were, alfo, pafled in the CardinalV 
Favour, at this Time, relating to fome Loans of Monqr. 
be had lent the King on his Jewels ; which will be 
mentioned in the Sequel (i). 

Authority was given to the King's Council to mate 
Securities to feveral Creditors of the Crown, for the' 
Sum of 50,000 1. It was alfo ordained, that the Trea« 
furer and Vidtualler of the important Town of Calais^ 
Ihall receive a certain Quantity of Mercantile or Stapk 
Ware, and other Revenues, within the faid Town, 
for the Payment of the Garrifon there, and the necefik^ 
ry Reparations. 

The 

(/) This Petition, with the two AOs, are printed at large in Hymir \ 
and the lormer being fomewbat extraordinary defervci a' Place, in thii 
Hiftory, in its original Language. 

hem PaiouNT Les Comunss quefleafeanwts Trefgraeieus Sajnuar, 
Cottfiderant la trefgrautuh & notabU Services & Natyrejes, Jmen J 
nfousf come a veflre trefnoble Pere, qtd Dieu aJpuU, avaitnt ca HemHf 
faitex par le 'irehjerent Fere en Dieu, Henry Beaufort, Preftre Girdi* 
nale, (outh la Title de Saint Eufebe, & Evefyue de Wrncbeftie, 
JTordiner & grauntier^ far AJfent des Seigneurs Ejfpirittulx of Temf^ 
relXf en cefi veftre prefent ParUment ejieanx. par Au8mte de tiujme U 
Parlemetit, que le dit Henry Cardinal, par quecanque Noun mefme k 
Henry foit nome, ne nul aultre, ferra mye, purfue, ^exe^ emplede, M 
grave, par vous, ou vosHeires. ou Succeffours, Royes d* Engleterre, nt 
par afcun aultre PerfoTi, a Cauje d^afcun Frovifion, ou d*afcun Offenft, 
ou Mifpriji»n, fait par le dit Henry en countre afcun EJlatut des ProviTobrii 
otf par CauJe d* afcun Exemption, Refceit, Acceptation, Admijfion, ou Exe* 
eution d*afcun» Bulles Papalles, a luy en afcun Maniere faitx, merque k 
dit Henry Cardinal, & cbefcun aultre, de toutex tielx Maner d'AEiions, 
PurfutSt Empecbements, et yexations, et de toute Cbofes queux ferroient 
«» yffcnfe de vos Leycs en celle Partie, a Cauje fuifdit, et de toutx auU 
ires jiSiions et Purfuites, dount Punijfcment, Jetnllable al Punijfement cm- 
tenutx en PEJiatutx de Provifours, viendrojt ou furdroit, foient, it 
thefcun de eux foit, par mefme fj^Boritee, en vers vous, vos Heires et 
Succeffours, ent quit ex & difcbargex tout autrement, et que toutx tieln 
Anions ©* Purfutcs, cnvers le dit Henr)* Cardinal, et Cbefcun aultre, S 
Caufes furdites, foit exticntes, et pUinement paritex, voidex, ca£ex et irri» 
tes. 

Et que vous, vos Heires et Succeffours,foiexct foient, de tout Manere ni' 

.' . ttreffe, et de toutx Maners d* Anions et Purfuites, aver ou purfuer par celk 

EKibefon, rrT'crj /? ^/r Henr}' Cardinall et cbefcun aultre, forclofe et ex» 

ehtfi pur tutitx Jours, par le /luEiorite fufdit \ afcun Eflatutes a Ordinan^ 

' ces, J'tiitx a contraire, nicnt obfiantx, 

Rclponfio Regis. 

Fiat PRouT petitur, quantum ad pradiSlum Cardinalem, tt emnes alin 
fui Gccafbve 'jufdem Cerdiralis i?rpe:i poterunt veftmplacitAri, 

Fad. Aftg^a)!. {'Tcti-X. f. $1$. 




O/ E N G L A NT 

The valiant LorJ Ta/io/ being then a Prllbner inKtScHenirVb 
^snte, the King, by common Cnnfcnt, agreed to re- 
'eafe Sir iPiUiam Bircbam, Knight, a French Prifoner, 
^5 Part of his Ratifom j provided the fald Sir fVi/Iiam 
■"""as not impeach'd for the Death of the Duke of Bur- 
S^ndy. It 19 remarkable, that this Lord "Talbot had lerv- 
^the late King, itihisWars, twoYesrs, withoutany 
"^Vages. At the fame Time it was pgrecd by Parlia- 
*7ient, that the Duke of Or/w«j, Coufin to the King, 
■*rhohad beenaPrilbner in £?;^ijn//cvcr fince ihe Bat- 
"Kle of Jgmoart, and was then in the Cuftody of Sir 
^bmasChamberworthy Knight, fhould be deliverM to 
Sir yohn CermvaU Knighi, by him to be liife kept. 
■^nd thatthe Duka of Bmrboay taken at the Tame Battle, 
iliould be committed to the Cuftody of Sir Thomas 
Chamberwortb, 

This Parliament fat to the a3d of Fdruary, on 
I ■ "Which Day, as if ihey could not be lired with gianliijg 
L money, tliey gave the King the fame Subfidy on 
\ Wools, as was granted informer Parliamcnis, for two 
^1 Years. And at the fame Time, they confented tOAnoibfrSohWy. 
■- fliortcn the Payment of the lail Tenlh and Fiftienth, 
to relieve the prefling NecelTities of the Slate. 

Before they were dilTolv'd, they alfo agreed uponAr,y„ t,r ii«.. 
certain Articlps, Eighteen in Number, for the better R'r;ui.ii ion " 
Regulation of the King's Council. All which faid Ar-Jl'^ '^^* 
ticlcs, every one of the Lords of the Council, whofe 
Names are there fpccitied, promifed faiEhfully to per- 
form. The Abriiger has made but two Obfervallons 
on thefe Articles : The one, that the Dukes of Bedford 
and Ghucejfer were accounted no higher in Council 
than as two of the fame Bady ; the other is, that all 
fuch OiBcers, civil or military, who have ferv'd the 
King and his Father faithfully, fhould he firft preferred 
to Places and Benefices in the King's Gift. A goodly 
Precedent, iays Cstlmi, to encourage Officers to ferve 
painfully and faithfully, when their Hoping is not lum- 
ed to Haltering. 

There were many Afls made in this Parliament 
whidithe Reader may, ifhcpleafes, con fu It altogether 
in the StiiiuU: al lai%e. But an Account of two or 
Vol. II. O . three 



VoWtfbi 

tKoiehn of Shlic! 
liiniteil lo Free. 
kolds of 40 1. 



210 The Parliamentary H i st o * y 

I, three of tliem cannot well be-omilted in thcfe Inqli'' 
rie5. Theiirftwas, ' That the Bifliops and theinfe- 
' riorQergy coming to attend their Service in Parlia* 

> ' ment, Ihall have the fame Privilege, in regard (tf 
' the Protedtion of their Servants, as the Pecra of the 
' Realm. That every City, Boiough, and Town in 

* the Kingdom, ihall have at their own Charge a com- 
' mon Balance and Weights, fealed according to the 

* Standard of the Exchequer, in the keeping of the 
ts ' Mayor, or Conftabte. At which Balance all the 
i ' Inhabitants of the fame City or Town were to weigh, 

* without paying any Thing ; but Strangers were to 

* pay a fmall Premium there specified. 

It wasalfo enafted, ' That whereas Knights of the 
' Shire had of late been chofen by outragious and ex- 

* ceffive Numbers of People, and of fmail Subftance ; 
' for the future, the faid Knights fliall be eleiSed in every 

* County, by People dwelling and refidentin the iaid 
' Counties, whereof every one fliall have, in Lands orTe- 

* nements, to the Value Qf forty ShUlingsi by the Year, 
' at the leaft, above all Charges ; and that they which 

1' ftialt be fo chofen fliall be dv?elling and refident within 
' the faid Counties. 

In the Parliament, iciih HemyW. Anns 1432, it 
was decUred, ' That the faid forty Shillings per Annun 
' muftbe Freehold.' This Statute is in Force at thii 
Day j but the Difference in the Value of Money, 
then and now, will be heft afcertained by the Price of 
Provilions near this Period. Arron^ft the Petiiions 
there are alfo fome, with their Anfwers, which defer ve 
our Notice, 

Pet. That the Statutes, made on all Appeals for 
Things done out of the Realm, fhall be tried before the 
Conflahleand lll&^^%\ 0^ England ; and that all done 
within the Realm, be ttied by the Laws of the 
Nation. 

Jnf. The Statutes made for that Purpofe fliall be 
Icepr. 

Ptt- That Sheriffs, and fuch other Officcre. 
impeached by Proccfs out of the Exchequer, foi 
not leviable. 



'0/ ENGLAND. fl^^^^^ 

Mnfvj. The King's Council thall hare Power to de- itihiWafr V» ] 

Ifcrttme this Matter. | 

ftt. That all Buigefles of Parliamfnt may have ^ 

fteJr Writs to the Sheriff of the fame Shire, to levy their ] 

Pees and Wages. ^ I 

JInfw. The King will be advifed. ^^J 

7f/. That all fuch Soldiers as pali thro' the Realm, ^^^H 

may pay for their Victuals and LHgmg. ^^^^H 

An^. The Kirg will be advifed. ^^^H 

Pet. That all Lands, whatToever, do contribute to ^^^^B 

the Payment of Knight's Fees coming to Parliament, "1 

eteptifig the Lands of liifliops. Peers, and Towns who I 

ipoA BurgeHes. J 

Jnfw. The fame as before. I 

Complaint being made to the Hoiife of Comtnons, I 

AW bne WilMm Lah, Servaiit to fVsUiam Mildred, one \ 

of the Butgefles for Lunditi, was commitled to the Fleet y 

on an Execution of Debt j he w.is immediately dif- ] 
.charged by the Privilege of the Houfe; and Auihority FnvilegeofPi^ ] 

^eb to the Chancellor to appoint certain Perfons, by liKment' J 

Commiflion, 10 apprehend him after ihe End of the J 

Parliament. Sir Rahert CstUii remarits that no fuch I 

Man, aa is here mentioned, can be arretted in the Time .^ 

of Parliament, but for Treafon, Felony, or Breach of ^^^fl 

the Peace. ^^^H 

This Parliament being dliToIved en the £3d of Fe- ^^^H 

irvnTy, fome Petitions which were not anfwered, were ^^^^ 

left, as was ufual in thofe Days, to the Determinaiioji r\ 

of the King's Council, I 

Immediately after the DiiToJution of this Parlia- ■ 

ment) the young King Henry fct out for Fra;ne, at- ^^^^fl 

tended Vith a great Train of xhc'EngtiJh Nobility ^^^^| 

and Gentry ; and arriving foon after at the City of ^^^H 

R6an \h N&rmSndy, he made his Abode there all the ^^^^ 
Summer. And, in November, in the Year 1430, the Henij crowa'4 ^ 
Eighth of his Reign, he was with the greateft Solemnity '^'"b "f ?■*"* I 

crowaed King of France at Paris. \ 

Whilft the young Monarch and his Council Vver« ■ 

cxefcifing the regal Power abroad, ihe Duke of Gh- H 

ceflei'y who had been left Regent in his Abfeiice, know- I 

ing the pretling Occifion they had for Men and Money, fl 

in order to tarfv on the French Waf, wf.s obliged to ■ 

O z call I 



I 



a I a The Parliamentary History 

WmHotj VI. call a Parliament, at home, for ihat purpofc. Wrftin 
were fent out, dated November 7ih, and reiurnabljQ|^| 
Wejiminfler^ ihc Jzth of January following. ] 

(inno Regni 9. Being all met in the Puiiiied Chamber, HumpirQ 
A.wt''' n Duke of G/o«^«r, called now Guardian or Keeper of 
England, being feated in the Chair of otate, the Com- 
mons being alfo prefenc, commanded William Un- 
wood^ Doftor of Laws, to open the Caufe of the Sum- 
mons, Jehn Kempe, Archbifliop of Tsrk and Chancellor, 
being abfent by Sicknefs, who took for his Theme, 
Firmabitur Solium Regni ejus. 

On this he endeavoured to demonftratc, ' That the 
' King and Kingdom ought to be cftablifhed by a three- 
' fold Virtue. The firft, by Unity, the next Peace, 

* and the third by Juliice. Unity he fubdivided into 

* other three Parts, viz. lolUilivam, as in gathering 
' Goods together ; the other, cen/iiiuiivani, as in com- 

* paring the leveral Members of a Man's Body ; the 

* third, csnfentarieam, as in Union of each Body my- 

* Itical, or politic. Peace, was, alfo, threefold ; Peace 

* Monaftica], which every Man hath over himfelf; 
' Oeconomical, as relating Co the Government over 

* his Hoiifehold ; and Pol itical, whereby thcgoodEftate 
' of the Kinglsbeft fecured. And, lallly, Juftice had 

* its three Parts ; the lirft, every Subject's due Obe- 

* dience to the Magiftraies ; the fecond, byadvifing his 
' Neig,hbDurs and Equals ; and the U&-, in relieving 

* the Poor. He concluded with obferving, that the 
' aforefaid Unity wzs much broke within the King- 
' dojn by Whiiperers and Mifdoers; from which an 
' utter Subverfion was like to enfue. That it was the 

/ King's full UeJire that every Eftite in the Realm 

* ihould enjoy ail th'eir juft Liberties j and prayed the 

* Commons to choofe their Spi:.iker, and piefcnt him 

* the next Day to the Guardian.' 

JohnTjrtel.tiq; ThefdmeD^y the Commons made a Report of their 
thofcn.Vaker. Speaker, as in the laft Parliament; and on J^Jnuary 

15th, they prefciited John Tyrrel Efq; whofe Excufe 

being refufed -, with the accuftomed Proieftation, he was 

allowed. 
The V'ery firft Thing that, they went upon in ihrs 

Patliatnent, was the Supply ; and a Giant was agreed 



Of ENGLAND. 

or, of one Taiih and one Fifteenth, and a Ihird of both. King Henry VOi 
They, alio, gave Tonnage and Poundage for two 
Years, with a SubCdy of ilie like Value on all Merchants a Subfidy. 
Aliens, over and above the fald Tonnage and Poun- 
dage. The Commons, alfo, granted lo the King iwen- 
ty Shilling from every Layman holding a Knight's 
Fee, and according to ihe Value under or over. The 
fame from the Clergy for all Lands purchafed fince the 
20th Eduiardl. And that all other Perfons having He- 
reditaments to the Value of Twenty Pounds, over all 
Reprifes, not held as above, fhall, alfo, pay Twenty 
Shillings i and fo according to Rate. This is another a Land- Tab 
Inftance of a Tax on Lands and Tenements. 

An A(5t Was pafled this Seffion, to empower certaio 
Lords, of (he King's own Family, to be Commlffioners 
for treating of a Peace with the Perfon called here, only, 
ihe Dauphin of France. 

It was ordained, that the King's Counci!, and o- 
ther Head Officers, exprefled in the Record, Jhould 
have Yearly out of the Exchequer, by way of Reward, 
fuchFees as are there particularly mentioned. And, at 
the fame time Authority was given to the King's Coun- 
cil, to make Securities to the King's Creditors, for the 
Loan of 50,000 /. as in the laft Parliament. 

Several Affairs, relating to private Property, were 
iranfafled this Seffion : But, only, one is remarkable e- 
rough for our Purpofe; fince it made a great Noife at 
that time, and produced an Aft of Parliament, lliU in 
Force in our Statute- Books. The Cafe was this : 

A Charge ofBaftardy was altedged againft ^^^'^'"""tn. 1 (j 
the Wife of Jdme! Lord iludley, who claimed the In- Bjitjd/j "^ 
heritance of Edmund Earl of Kent, as being his eldefl 
Daughter, and a legitimate Mlie, or Mulier, by Con- 
Jlance his Wife ; for Ihe Proof of which, {he had pro- 
cured a CcTlificate from the Ordinary. Againft this 
Claim, the other Daughters of the faid Edmund Earl 
o^ Kent prcfented a Petition to Parliament, alledging, 
that the faid Eleansr was a Baftard ; thit her Mother 
Conftance, the late Wife to Ihsmus Dtfpinfer, was ne\'cr 
married !o the faid Eail ; and that the laid Certificate 
brought ftom the Ordinary, was obtained by Fraud. 
^111 this being fully proved, in order lo prevent fuch 



1 



W X 1 4 The Tarliiimc/ttary H t s T o «. t 

Hkk m-tj VL Proceerlirii? for tbc firure, an Ait was made, ' Tl 
E * in all Pleas, wherein Baftardy U alledged agaiaft 

r • Perfon, Party to the fjid Plea, the JuJ 

■ ' of or in the Courts where the faid Plea 
^^^^^ * (hall certify it to the Chancellor of En^landt fo( iS 
H^^^E * Time being, to the Intent that ProclanutioQ ^ 
^^^^^g * made in tile faid Chancery, for three Months, cffil 
^^^^P ' in every Month, that all Perfons wbo have, aq 
^ * thing to objcdl againft the faid Midiery, or Polsi 

■ * pretending himfelf a legitimate Ifl'ue, nia.y palll 
I * their Allegations and Objeflions before ajjy Cffiif 

* cate be given by the Bilhops.' 

An A£iwas,aIfo, made to redrefs another Grievan?i 

To E.icatiOT of which was, ' That whereas under Colour of OinUw 

Willi i 1 jjgj^ f^gj Quj againft certain Perfons, OccaJion « 

' taken to moleft others of the fame Name,, and tl 

B * feize their Goods and Chattels, efpecialty when iJn 

V ' were dead, becaufe there was no Remedy at Ci»w 

B * mon Law for Executors to recover fuch SeizuKSi 

J * therefore, it was enabled by this Parliameai, iftfi 

^ * vonr.of Executors i that in Defence of the TeftaW 

P ' Goods, a Writ called Ident'ilate Nornints, fhould I 

* granted to them, and fliould be as maititainable fc 
' them as by any other Perfon living.' 

AtmI Hindnmce Complaint being mads to the Houfes, that tl 
"f '*i"S*''o° "V /^/irimf n affembledin great Numbers, and being ann^ 
' ' ° ■ did in a riotous and rebellious Manner, inietccpl * 
hinder rhe Boats, Trows, Floats called Drays, carrji 
Wares and Merchandiles up the Rivier Scvtnty 
Brijlol, Glmjier, iVorceJier, and other Places, andhK 
the laid VefleU, to the End that the Traders mij 
have their Boats and Veflols of them only ; thcrefa 
it was enafled, ' That all the King's Liege Peoj 

* fhould hjve free Pafiage upon the faid feiver,, 

* carry their Goods and Chattels as they pl^aie*. wil' 

* out any Moleftation from the U'ekh \ and if fw I 

* future, they any waysmolefted tbera in their Pftfiafl 
' or TrnlEck, ihe Party or Parties aggrieved fhaU.^ 
' their Action at Common Law.' 

Remarkable Petitions and Anfwerj, in this Parlfl 
mcnt. 

Pi^t. That all Outlawries in Aftionipevfunal, 



r' 0/ E N G L A N D. :ij 

noimced before ibeStatuts of MditUfis, made the iftofKingHmryWi 
Hmry V. may be pardontii. 

Anf. The King will be advifed. \ 

Pet. That in the Writ »f forging of falfe Deeds, 
the Vtnin faiiai may be of both Couiiiies, as well 
where the Land dcrth lie, as where the Writ is brought. 

Anfvj. The fame as before. 

Ptt. That the Statute made Anm 8. Htnry VI. 
Cap, 2. touching Denmark, may be utterly void and 
revoked. 

AhJw. The King expefls to hear from his Ambaf- 
fador at that Court ; und in the mean time will be 
advifed. 

Pet, The Commons of NQrlhumberhind, Cumber' 
land, IViJlmsreland, and the Biflioprick of Durham^ 
pray, that the Merchants of Niwiajlle, may, at all 
Timo buy, and tranfport ilieir own Wools. 

Jfifio. The King will be advifed. 

Pet, That Attachments and Prohibitions againft 
Tytbc of great Wood, may be granted to every Per- 
Ibn out of either of the Benches. 

Anfvj. The fame. 

Pet. That two Perfons in every Hundred of the 
Realm, may by Commiffion, be appointed to fearch 
[he due making of Woollen Cloths, and to feal the 
fame, taking One Penny. 

Aijiu. The King will be advifed. 

In Confideration of aoo /. paid by the Merchants of 
the Ifle of Ely to certain Perfons of the County of 
Cambridge, to buyTwenty Marks of Land by theYear ; 
it is cnadted, ' That the faid Inhabitants for ever Ihall 
' bedifcharged from paying any Thing towards the Fees 
- * of Knights of the Shire for Cambridgefliire.' 

We have no Account how long this Parliament fat ; 
blU Uiftorians tell us, that, before the Diljbluiion of it, 
AmbaUadors came from Jsmes King of S(Bts to the 
.jDake of Ghtejier, to defire that a Peace might be con- 
cluded between the two Nations. But the Duke, not 
willing to determine fo important a Matter, without 
' "the Confent of the People, referred it to the three E- 
ftatcs, who, after long Confultation and many Dc- 
O 4 bales. 




" 1 1 6 The 'Parliamentary H i s t o r t 

iini Hemy Vl.bates, r«iled a Peace with them. Which Peace it was 
ZA'Vtia with '''^" thought woulj long continue, becaufc Sc^kni 
wasfodifturbed by home-bred Divilions, that noMo- 
kftation could be expeftftl from that Quarter'Cif), 

The young King flayed no longer in Parti, than 
till the Noblemen of Fyancc and Normandy had psffl. 
their Homage to him, after his Coronation ; when hC' 
letutned for England, landed at Dover, and was 
in hia Way to Lendon by ihe Citizens, and condi 
xoWeflmiNjler with great Pomp, Triumph) and mi 
Sorts of Pageantry. 

Not long after the King*s Arrival, the Coun^ 
ihoughE it recefliiry to call another Pjriiament ; , foc 
which Purpofe Writs of SummoM were iftbed tiut 
dated Feb. zj, for one to meet at Wijlmlnfttri the 
1 2th Day of May following. 

Anna Rczni >o- ^^ which Timebeing aflembled, in the ufual Cham- ^ 
I4J1. ber within the Palace, the Kinghimfelf on the Throne, 

At Wtftminfler. and all the Lords and Commons attending, Jnhn Staf- ' 
fird, Bifhop oi Bath and Wells, then Chancellor of 
Mngknd, was commanded to open the Caufe of the 
Summons; which he did m this Manner, taking for 
his Text thefe Words of St. Peter, Deum limete. Re- 
gem honorificate. 

' On which Words he remarked two Points, the 

* firlt, a general Cnunfel to Princes, that they might 

* learn Knowledge; to obey and ferve God, according 
' to the Words of the Prophet, Nunc Regis InteUigite, 

* erudiminl qu'ijudhatis Terrain, fervite Damitio in 2t- 

* more. The fecond, a Commandment to Sut^efb 

* to learn to obey and honour the Prince, according to 

* tha Saying of the Apoftle, Omnit Anima fublimim- 

* bm Potejlalibus fubditafit, non emm eft Petejias, &c. . 
' And again, Reddite amniius Debita, Tribiitum cui Trl'L 

* butum eft, i^c. I 
* Which Points be learnedly enlarg'd upon, andittf^ 

' deavourcd to prove by many Examples, Auihoririw, 
' and Similitudes, that the King and Realm of Eng- 
' /(j/W might e.ifily attain to the Heighth of Peace and 

* Profperity, if rrue Fear of God and Honour i 
' Prince were in the Hearts of the Subjefts j whe: 



(i) Hal(. Fol, CXXI. HaiiimaiAii, P. 6o7> 



0/ ENGLAND. 217 

' for the atiainmg thereto, and fuppreffing Tuch Re- King Hmiy VL 

* bels as defpifcd the Rislits of the Churcl), and would 

* deft roy the Minifters of the fame, wasoneCaufe for 

* thocsllirg this Aflemtily.' The other was, for the 
' due ExtGUlion of iho Laws, which was Salur cujus- 

* lilitt Civitatis ct Regni. And the lall: was, how to 
' find WavBandMearis to enrich the Sat>jeiT:3, who for 

* aloDgTimehad hv'd'in great Want and Penury.* 
Heconcludcd, as ufua!, with acquainting them, that the 
Kingdcfired that every Eftate (hould enjoy its own due 
Liberties ; and that the Commons fliould chufe their 
Speaker, and prtfent him the nexi Day to the King. 

On the fccond D^y of -their fitting, the Duke of 
Gkcefttr&aoAuYiin the Houfe of Lords and faid, 'That 
' he had been informed the Commons had made aDecli- 
' ration, that if ihey could undeiftand the Lords of the 

* King's Council intended to ferve in their Station with 

* perfefl Unity, it would greatly encourage them to 

* do their Parts etfettuatly. ■ That he ptomifed, for 

* his Part, that although he was Chief PreliJent of 

* the Council, yet he would a6l nothing without the 

* Conlent of the Majority of ihem.' This Declara- 
tion of the Duke's was, the nextDay, made to the Com- 
mons, by the Chancellor. 

The Day after, the Commons prefentcd to the King johnRufrtl.Ef'f 
fobnRuffiJ, Efqi for their Speaker, who, making the cl'^a=d Spcalcn. 
ufual Proteftation, was allow'd of. They, then, with 
the Confent of the Lords, granted one TWi/Aand half ASubfiJy. 
a Fifteenib ; alfo one Year's Sublidy on Wools, and 
the lame Tonnage and Poundage, as in the laft Parlia- 
ment. But the Kinj releas'd the hicreafe of Six-pence 
on every Pound, laid then on all Merchant Strangers, 

A great Complaint was made to theHoufcs, by iheAnrtlicr Qujtrd 
Cardinal Bifliop of JVmcheJler, that hebeing in F/sn-bttw^nOif^ioBl 
deru in his Way to Rome, was obliged to return back ^,^j ^f ct- 
in order toclcar himfelf froma Report thai had beenctftcr. 
fpread that he was a Traytor to the Realm -, of which, 
theDokeof GU'ee/ler, by the King's Command, de- 
clared him guiltlefe. But Sir Rs/isri ColUrt Iiere re- 
marks, that the trueReafon of the Cardinal's iliddeti 
Return, wa?, that having feveral of the King's Jew- 
els in Pawn, he h:id order 'd tiiem to be ient after him ; 
which 



si8 Tlie Tarl'mtnentary Hi stort 

MlifHemrVl. which Jewels, by Cummand from the King, or n* 

H^ iheriheDukeof Gj'i!ui?/?^r, were arrefted at Sandwich. 

^h This t>rought the Cardinal back in a mighty Pother j 

^H and it appears by the next Arlicle in the Record, thai 

^H an Order was taken that the Cardinal fliould pay to the 

^H King 6000 /. more for them, and lend to him be&lQ 

^H 14000/. which was done accordingly ; and then hs 

^K was allow 'd to take them, or leave them behind him, H 

^H: hb Pleasure. The King alfo. wldi the Confeai of the 

^B' other Eflatcs, granted a Pardon for all Offences, add 

^^k for all Penalties and Pains incuned by him on the Sta- 

^K^ tute of Pramumre, Thus far Sir Rabert ; but anotbtf 

Hiftorian (/> acquaints us, that when the Jewels the 

Cardinal had in Pawn were feized at ^jWiy/tA, he wa 

then in Flanikrs upon the King's Affairs ; but, OD tie 

rNcws of the Seizure, he came over in all hafte to Zot- 
dov, without Leave j which gave the Duke of Ghit- 
leflir Occafioa to feizc his Baggage. That, on the Day 
alter his Arrival, he went to the Houfe of Lords ; and 
faid, he was come to clear liimlelf from the Crinies kid 
to his Charge, and vindicate his Innocency, againft 
whoever ftiould be his Accufer. That the Duke of 
Gkutsjkr not thinkingit proper to fupport what he had 
advanced, the Prelaie Wiis anfwered, that fincenone 
appeared to aecufe him, he was acknowledg'd as a loyal 
Subjedt He thanlced the Houfe for this Declaration, 
and defir'd it might be drawn up in Form ; which wai 
granted. Then he complain'd, that at bis Arrival U 
Siindwich his Baggage was feizcd ; and peiition'd the 
Reftitmion. He maimained that the Seizure was mode 
without Caufe, and offered to lend the King 6000 /. 
for Ilx Yeirs ; on Corjdition» that if the Seizure appear- 
ed [Q b^ lawful, the Money lent fhouid be foifisited to 
the King's Ufe. He offcr'd moreover to lend him th«-j 
like Sum» and to defer the Demand of the 130041 
MarLs due io him nn another Account, provided thft - 
Payment of the whole fliould be alBgn'd out o£ 
next Subfidy granted to the King. Hi^ Aim waai 
(hew his Regard for the King's and the Pec_ 
IVanls. His Offers were accepted, and tlie Seizure ra 
flor'd. Thus the Duke of GlmaJItr, inftead of hi 

f/JJapa'sHift.of £n£. Fol. Edit, p, 334, jjj. 



ENGLAND. aij 

iog hb Enemy, had the Mortifiration to fee him te- King He 
ceive ihe Applaufes ofboih Houfes. Mean while ihi* 
Difcord produced veryil! EiFefls. As ihe Duke of ff/cte- which t 
etfler had Friends and Adherents in ihe Council, iheY["e'fo 
Oppofirion, gencralTy between the two Pai lies, could 
not but be very prejudicial to the King's Affairs. 
For> wbilft the DuVe and the Cardinal thought, only of 
their Own private Concerns, the War in France was 
n^Iedcd, though it was more neceffary than ever to 
fupport it with the greateft Efforts. 

Wehavechofeto give this long Quotation from^Ra- 
/i>, as it particularly rebtcs to thb Defign, and to fet 
this Matter in as clear a Light as pofiible. The Auiho- 
rities that Author quotes from, are fome InHrumentg 
in the Public Afs, acd Coilon'i Records. .The Read- 
er njiy obferve, th.u the htter differs widely from his 
Account, efpa^ially in Regard to the Seizure of the 
Crown Jewels ; which was inade on his going out of the 
Eingijoin, and not on his Return into it. And it is 
certain, that the Dufce of Gkueefer was b the right to 
prevent the Cardinal from carrying fticH a Trea/ijre over 
with him into Foreign Parts. Howevetj the Prelate 
had Intereft enough in thisParliament, to get the Peti- 
tion from the Commons, made in the laft, again rati- 
fied ; with the [WO fubfequent Ai^h for Reftitution, i^c. 
and all of them exemplified under the Broad Seal (m). 

But to go on with the other Proceedings of this Par- 
liament; Some more Matiersoflefs Moment occurred; 
the principal of which are thefe, 

The Commons petitioned the King, that the Fees and 
Wages of the King's Judges, Serjeants, and Attorneys, 
might be paid, which was ordered accordingly. And 
by Order of the Houfes, certain Accountants of the 
King's Houlhold, by Name, were pardoned'their Of- 
fences. 

On the Petition of Riddrd Duke of York, Brother 
to Edvjard Uie Duke of Tori, and Coufin-German to 
Edmund hltE^Tl of March, to have Livery of all the 
Her^Jitaments belonging to the faiJ Duke aud Earl, 
by Ordinance of Parliament they were reilored to him. 
This 
fm) Fitd- Atr, Ton. X., p. 51$, 17, iS, iq. Fui in Inventory q/ t bete 
Jewels, with ^cii putkulat Sutis, WuBbt lad Value, Ice, alTo, 






a^o The Parliamentary H i s t o r t 

>j Henr; VI, Tliis was the famous Duke of Ysri, who firfl: 

the open Quarrel between the iwo Houres. In 
Parliamenl, alfo, as was anciently the Cullom, 
King created the renowned Sit Ji/hn CsrnwalKn^[, 
Baron of Fannhcppe ; there to fit and enjoy the Liberty 
of a Baron. 

Pctitkni and Anpuers. .1 

Pit. That the Defendant in an Appeal of MaiHl ' 
itioBs and may make his Attorney. 
'•"*■ Jlnf. The King will be advifed. 

Pet. That the Statute, made 7 thn, IV. Cap. 9. 
relating to Merchants Strangers may be executed wiii 
this - Adjunil, viz. Pains and Penalties on thc£'«(fi^ 
Merchants, and Officers of every Town for not execul- 
ing'of it. - ' 

Anfw. The King will he advifed. 

Pet. Thachone be compelled to be examined in Par- 
liament, or elfewhere, touching his Frank Tenant. 

Anfw. 'V\\e fame. 

Pet. That fuch Petfons as fliall have their Goods 
taken by the Merchants of //uni, in their Parts, may 
have their Remedy by Aflion at Law in London^ againft 
the Ham Merchants rellditig in that City, 

JnJ. The fame as before. 

Pet. That no Merchant or other Perfon be impeach- 
ed for the Seal of any Cloth, broad or narrow, after 
fuch Time as the Alnager (11) has fealed the fame, and 
Cuftom is paid for it. 

Anf The fame. 

Pet. ForfpeedyRedrefsofand in all Aftions belong- 
ing to fuch Perfons, as were Members of the Houfe of 
Commons. 

Anf. The fame. 

Pit. That all Parfonages, appropriated to (bme re- 
ligious Houfe, not endowing of Vicars on the lame> 
may be wiihin fix Months unappropriated. 

Anf. As before, 

AMol 

(•<)Alwz/r, jbiHgfT, in Latin, Ulmgcr or Uhalcr, 
Cloth hy Ell. Tliia Offictr «as anciently , both Starcbtr ind A 
of Cl<ith£3wcll»i^w£n-, and WH Collraor of Ihi Subfidy pK 
the King by the fcvcicl Stalutej j he had a pre ulijr Seal lo denatcM 
Dsftfh which each Cloth cantaioed. See Jinl,-' Ltvt DIB, 



^^^ 0/ E N G L A N 

A Motion was made, and a Device offered, for the KiogHeaijVl. 
true m^ymg of Gafmgn Wine. 

Jnf The King will fend this over to the Officers of 
Gttienns, and appoint them lo take Order therein. 

i*^(.That Prohibitions and Altachmenis m.iy be had, 
upon the Statute of the 45 Ed. III. againft Parfons 
fuing for Tithe-Wood above the Age of twenty Years. 

jinf. The Statutes, to that purpofe provided, fliall be 
obferved. 

At the Petition of the Houfe of Commons, the King 
releafed utterly, on account of certain Doubts, the 
Subfidy granted in the laft Parliament on Lands and 
Tenements, fo as it never fhould be mentioned again. J'^'j^l'^^^^' 
This looks as if all Parties Were afliamed of fuch an Tm/ 
uncommon Impofiiion on the Suhjcft in ihofe Days j 
tho' it is now no Novelty, and wiil continue, we fear, 
to be as immutable as Fate. 

The French War had, about this Time, run greatly 
againft the Intereft of the ErigUjh in that Kingdom ; and, 
in the eleventh Ye.ir of this King, another Parliament 
waa called, by Writs dated May 24, to meet at WcH- Anno Rsgni 
minfter on the 8lh of Jufy following. Being all aflem- '■'31' 
bled, before the King, in the Painted Chamber of the '"^"^'°'^'' 
Palace, the Dukesof Btdford and Ghccjler, both of them 
prefent ; the fame Chancellor, aa in the laft Parliament, 
declared the Caufe of the Summons, and took for his 
Theme, Sufcipiant Monta Pdam Populo, ei Celles Juf- 
tk'iam. 

' TliisSubjeft, he diviJed into three Parts, accord- 
' ing 10 the three Eftatescf the Realm; bytheMoun- 

* tains, he underftood Biftiops, LordsandMagiftratcs; 
' by the lelTer Hills, he meant Knights, Efquires, and 

* Merchants i by the People, he meant Hufbandmen, 
' Artificers and Labourers. To which three Efl^tes he 

* endeavoured to prove, by many Examples and Au- 

* ihorities, that a triple political Vertuc ought to be- 
' long; tothefirft, Unity, Peace and Concord, with- 

* out DilTimulation ; to the fecond, Equity, Conlidera- 

* lion and upright Juftice, without Parli,ilily; tb the 

* laft, a due Obedience to the King, his Laws and Ma- 

* eiftrates, without grudging. By ftrifllyobfervingof 

tt which, he affirmed, ihat infinite Bleflings and great 
Acqui- 



iia The Yarliamentaty H i « T o Ji t 

King Heaiy VI. * Acquifitlons Would accrile to the Nation ; and thatt 

* very Affembly was called as a Means for thai PoTj 

* Wherefore he enjoined the Commons to make '^ 

* of their Speaker, and prefent him to the Kifigas Ul 
The Receivers and Tryers of Petitions being 9iptx)bil 

ed, for the different Kingdoms and Countries xsal 
RogerHimt,Efqj*e Dominion of iht Engli/hKmg, as was \h 
chofen Speaker. Davs the conftantCuftom of Parliament, on tbeiitlL 

ofjufy the Commons prefented Roger Huntj E^j fbl 

their Speaker; who with the ufual Ceremony, way 

allowed. 

The 13th Day, the Duke of Bedford rofe up belbie 

the King, intheHoufeof Lor. Is, and faid *Tltttfir 

* two efpecial Caules he had come into the Kiqg's Prc: 

* fence, and left hisCharge beyond Sea : The one was for 

* the Safeguard of the King's Perfon ; and the other, to 

* clear himfelf from fome Slanders which were caft up- 

* on him, as that he had been the Ckcafion oFtbel^ 

* great Loflcs in France and Normandy^ by his Default 

* and Negligence ; and offered to take his Tryal for the 

* fame'. On which the Chancellor, by the King^i 
Cbmmand, declared ' That his Majefty took him for hit 
^ true and faithful Subjeft, and moft dear Uncle ; and, 

* for his coming, at that Time, gave him moft hearty 

* Thanks'. 

After this Parliament had fat a Month, the Plague 
began to break out in London -y therefore, the Chancellor, 
by the King's Commands, called them all before himj 
gave them Thanks for their Attendance ; and, on the 
13th, oi Augujl prorogued the Parliament to the fif- 
teenth Day after St. Michael^ enfuing^ at ffW- 
minjfer. But, becaulc the King's Occafions for Mo- 
ney were very urgent, and could not ftay till the next 
Seffion, it was ordaincJ, that the Treafurer oi England^ 
fhould keep in his Hands 2000 /. for the Service of the 
Houfliold. 

It is to be fuppofcd that this Parliament met again 
at the Time appointed, but we hear no more of their 
Tranfaflions 'till ihe third Day of November; when 
the Speaker of the EToufe of Commons came before llie 
King, in the other Houfe, and Qievi ed to his Majefty a 
Precedent, in the Reign of King Edward il. whereby 

th^: 



0/ E N G L A N D. jaj 

that King commanded the Bifliops and Clergy, to pro- *^ Hmry vi. 
nounce Sentence of Excommunication againft certain 
Offenders at lliat Time, The Speaker ihcn defirod his 
Majefty lo afl in the fame Manner, and caufe the 
Clergy to excommunicate fome that were then culpa- 
ble. But, all that was done in this Aifair, wai, that the 
Kingtook the Precedent, and promis'd to be advifed. 

At the fame Time the Speaker prefented lothe King 
and Lords one Article, amongftothers, in an Ordinance 
of Parliament, made in the 6th of this Reign, where- 
by, it was eftablilhed. That no Nobleman, nor other 
Perfon, fliould retain inhisServiceacyOtFcnder aeainft 
the Law> or maintain any Title or Quarrel. Which 
Article, all the Bifhops and Lords, there prefeni, were 
fworn to obferve. And, ibme Days after, the King 
commanded the Duke of Bedford to go to tJie Houfe of 
Commons, and fwear all the Members to perform the The whole Nn. 
Article aforefaid, which he did accordingly. donfummto the 

And it was alio enaited, by general Confent, That all Aa%Tnft 
the Lords, Knights, Elquires, Yeomen and other tf""''- 
Perfons throughout the Realm, fhould, by fpecia! 
Commiffions, be fworn to perform the laid Articles. 
ThisAfl, or Ordinance, feems calcuUtcd to prevent 
the evil Effect of the then mortal Quarrel, between the 
Cardinal Bifliop of ff'imhf/ier and the Duke of G/u- 
ffjer. 

Nevtmhir Ht the Commons came again before the 
King and Lords, and by their Speaker complimentedPuteofBtdfwd 
the Duke of Bedfsrd, on his warlike Behaviour and J*^f^"^°j^[""« 
notable Deeds done in France; and particularly, forhisThuitiofthe 
Conduct in the Battle of Vtr/say!. Befides, ihey com- Commom. 
mended him for his politic Government in the Regency 
of that Kingdom ; and for which they dcfired the King 
to infill upon the faid Duke's perfona! Attendance about 
him; and, after fome Confuhation ainongft the Lords, 
the Duke, at his Majefty's Requeft, accepted the Oflice, 
But at the fame Time he required, that fix Articles 
might be agreed lo by Parliament, relnting to the Go- 
Tcmment, which was granted. And by thefe Articles, 
which the j/iriajf^r remarks, were all very reafonable, 
the Duke of S^^rji recover'd fome Part of the Preroga- 
tive which the Duke of Gkccfltr had Soil, thro' the 
malicious 




c 



114 T^^^^ Varl'mmentary History 

Henry VI. maliclous Iniriegues of the Cardinal and the Clergy, who] 
were his fwarn Enemies. After this ihe Dukeof £fi^ 
ferd took occafion to declare before the Parliament, 

That whereas he, and the Duke ofG!aceJier, for their ■ 
Attendance as principal Counfellcrs, or Preliden 
the Gourd!, had fome Years an Allowance i 
.them of 8000 Marks YeaTly; at other Times 1 
Marks, fometimesscoo.but neverlefs ihan 40ooN 
Yearly, he would now, for hisperfonalAtiendance, 
require an Allowance of 1000/. a Year, and 5 
for paffing the Sea into Frame, or repafling it, s 
as there was occafion. Which Demand, being thought 
very reafonable by both the Houles, was readily grant- 
ed. 

The Subfidy granted by this Parliament, was a Tet&h 
and a FifUenlh, to be levied on the Laity. They like- 
wife granted ihe fame tonnage ard Poundage as wu 
given the laft Year, for two Years to come ; as, alfo, 
aSubfidy of 53 j. and 4 d- on every S.ickof Wool for 
three Years enluing. Authority was alfo given to the 
King's Council, to enter into Securities, for ico,ooo 
Marks for the ptefent OccaCons of the Gcvettiment. 
A ^''ate of Credit, which, the Reader may crblerve, has 
been more frtqient in this Reign than in any preceeding 
one. An Hiltorian remarke, but erroneoufly, on the 
Proceedings of this Parliament, that no Taxes were 
given the King by it. ' Perhaps, adds he, it was he- 
* caufe the Duty of 7fl«M^^ and Pemdage, which was 
' given this King in his third Year was ftill coniinued. 
' And, whereas, before they were granted for certain 
' Years only, they were now indefinitely given him 
' for the Service of the War; and from thence, as 
' Sleiv fays, they received the Name of CuHems; 
' i. e. ufual and cotiftant Payments [0).' 

A Pctiiion of T/emas Langliy, then Btfliop of Dur- 
ham, was prcfenteJ to, the Houfe of Lortis, fetti 
forth, ' That whereas iheKmg had granted aCommir 
' to certain Perfiin^, there named, and they bf vii 
' thereof fat and made Enquiry at Horton Pssli wit 
' the County- Pabiire cf DuTham ;' he therefore pfa; 
that the faid Commlilion might be revoked, HereU[ 
Sir Ifjiiijm Karl Knight, the Kin^'a Atorney Gei 

ral, 

COC^V/ir. A'«„/, p. 372. 



1^ 



or E N G L A N D. 22^ 

iral, v^ry learnedly endeavoured to prove * That the King Henry vi. 

* faid Bifhop ought to have no County Palatine, nor 

* Liberties Royal'. On the contrary, the Bifhop pro* 

duced his Authorities to prove his Right, and the Mat- ^^^ Liberties of 
ter was ftrcnuoufly debated between them. At laft ti^^^^^f^Di^^^^^ 
Judgment was given for the Bifliop, and the faid In- afcertained by 
quifition returned into Chancery, or elfewhere, was ^•^""^*^°^» 
declared null and void. Xhe-^<^nV/^^r remarks, that the 
Record of this Matter is very long, and fliews the Ful^ 
nefs of Power in" the Liberties of this County Pala- 
tine. 

Ralph Lord Cromwel, High Treafurer of England, pe- 
titioned the Parliament, that they would take into Con- 
fideration the State of the Revenues of the Crown and 
the Difturfements, the faid Revenue being not able to 
fupply the Expence by 35,000/. Yearly; wherefore he 
prayed, that Order might be taken for the King's Houf* 
hold; that he may enjoy the Office as freely as other* 
before him; and that no Grant be palled by the iBng 
without the Knowledge of him the faid Treafurer. He 
alfo, by three long Schedules annexed, fhewed the Par- 
ticulars of the whole Revenues and Profits of the Crown, 
with the Charge out of the fame in all Ways and 
Means. This was thought proper to be laid before the 
Commons, and all the Requells aforefaid were granted. 
The faid Lord Cromwel by another Petition, alfo, Shew- 
ed, that Warrants for Payments were come to him for 
more than two Years Profits of the Crown ; wherefore, 
he defired, that the Confideration of the King's Eftate 
might be fpeedy, and that a Prefcription for his Payment 
fliould be made. 

In the Statutes at Large are feveral Afts made 
this Parliament, on the Petitions of the Commons, very ^^ ^^1^*^^ 
conducive to the publick Good. There are likcwife 
feme more Petitions, on Private Properties, in the 
Abridgement^ not anfwering this Purpofe. Some of the 
moft remarkable Ads, we think proper to give an 
Abftradl of, are as follows. 

I. It was provided by an Aft, * That fuch Perfons as 
were Keepers of the Stews or Wkore-Houfes in South-^ 
tuarkj fliould not be impannell'd upon any Jury, nor 
keep an Inn or Tavern in any other Places, leaft Men 

Vox- II. P of 



Of me 1 ciiaiH s iioi aiiiwciiii^ ; vvnercron 
dain'd, * Thatall fuch Writs fhall be abated 
ed :' And 

III. In the Behalf of the Perfon difleifed 
of h*s Lands, whereas before ihe Law wa 
Difleifee might fue the DKTeifor in his Life- 
took the Profits at the Time of the Suit a 
which to avoid, the Difleifors made over t 
Feoffments to others, and fo avoided the Sui 
upon it was enaded, * That the Difleifeesi 
their Aflion as well againfl the Feoffee, ; 
himfelf, if either of them take the Profits of 

IV. And becaufe divers Tenants of Land 
of Life and Years, made over the faid Lan 
Undcr-Tenants, to the end that they might 
])Ie to Writs of Waftc, for the Damages done u 
Lands by their Order and Connivance before 
of the faid Leafes; It washereupon enafled, 
Tenant in Revcrfion might have his A£ 
the Tenant for Life or Years, for the Dar 
as well before as after the Leafe made to ai 
Tenants, and recover treble Damages fo 
Wafte, provided that it were prov'd, ih; 
Firft-Tenants took the Profits of the Land t( 
proper Ufe at the Time of the Wafte done. 



0/ E N G L A N D. 227 

ers. Merchants, and Buyers of Corn, taking Nine i^ing Wenry vi« 
Bufbels for the Quarter^ it was enafted, * That the 
Statutes for Weights and Meafures fhould be proclaim^ 
in every Market Town, and that there fliould be a Bu- 
Ihel, common Ballance and Weights in every Market- 
Town, City and Borough kept by the Mayor and Juf- 
ticcs, according to the Standard in the Exchequer ; and if 
any Perfon fhall prefume to Sell or Buy by any other 
Weight or Meiafures, they fliall forfeit Five Pounds to 
the rerfon that fliall fue for it, and Five Pounds to the 
King.' 

VII. Recognifors having found out a way to defeat 
the Executions of Aich Perfon as they were indebted to 
by Recognizance, by bringing their Writs De Corpus 
€um Cauja out of Chancery^ and giving Sureties to the 
King only, were deliver'd out of Prifon, and their Cre- 
ditors defeated of their Debts ; it was therefore or- 
dain'd, ' That Sureties fliould be given as well to the 
Party as to the King, that their Debts maybe furely 
paid.' 

Other Afts of lefs Importance were alfo madfe 
this SeDion ; as about the Meafure of certain Cloths, 
CallM Streights ; for the punifliing of fuch as fliall dare 
to aflault any Perfon coming to the Parliament or 
Council by the King's Command : And laftly, For 
fetting a Price upon Wax-Candles, Images and Fi- 
gures : But thefe Aftsbeing only Temporary, and long 
fticeout of Ufe, deferve little Regard.' 

We fliall only obfetve that this Parliament fat to the 
ilft o^ December^ for on that Day the Bifhops and 
liOrds of the King's Council were afked whether they 
^ould attend ? The Cardinal, the two Archbifliops, the 
3ifliops of Ely and Lincoln^ anfwer'd they would when 
Ihey could, but all the others promifed absolutely to 
attend. 

The French War ftill continued, and about this 
Time with good Succefs to the Englijhy under the Con- 
fJudlofthe viftorious Lord 7ii/J<?/ and the Earl of -^r«//- 
JeL But the latter having the Misfortune to be kill'd, 
before the paltry Caftle of Gerberoy^ and the Dukes of 
Bedford and Burgundy commencing a Quarrel, which 
ended in an open Rupture between them. Affairs were' • ' 
again thrown into a different Situation in that Kingdom- 

Pa let 



228 The Tarliamentary H i s T o n t 

Kirg Henry VI. In this Interval we find that Writs of Summons 
fent out to call a Parliament, dated AW^OT^^ ift, 
meet at IVeJiminfter on the 8th Day of July followii 
which was afterwards prorogued lo Reading fifteen 
after Michaelmas^ in the 1 2th Year of this King's 
The Abridger of the Records hath given us no Pr( 
ings of this Parliament, for which Reafon wc fuj 
they were not entered on the Rolls ; nor are there 
Afls in the Statute Books relating to it. It was 
till two Years after, that a Parliament fat to do Buf 
which was called by Writs dated at IVeJiminJlerj 
5 th Anno Dom. 1435, to meet at the fame Place ODi 
loth of 05foher following. 

Anno Regni 14. On which Day being aflembled before the King, 
14.35. ting in his Chair of State in iht Painted Chamber^ 

At Weftminftcr. Bifliop of Bath and fVells {p) then Chancellor of ' 
landy by the King's Command, opened the Seflion 
a Speech, and took for his Theme this Ttxiy SoUieiti^ 
Jervare Unitatem Sp'ritm in Vinculo Pacts ; and, am( 
other Matters, he told them * That the Duke of - 
' gundy ^ who had fworn Allegiance both to the 

* and his Father, had bafely broke hisOath and revolt 

* That he had appointed a Diet, or Sitiing, at Jrt 
' without the King's Knowledge, wheie two 
^ nalscamc to treat about a Peace between England \ 
' France ; That after the King wasacquainted with it, 

* fent fome Perfons of Qiiality as his EmbaGadors ati 

* Meeting, who there piopofed reafonable and hot 
^ 7'erms of Agreement, which tlie jPr^^/ri refufed 

* fcofFed at; by which nothing was done at that Di 

* After which the King, he Aid, was told, that 

* f.iid Duke of Burgundy had entred into a League 
' ihe French; and, as fuch, th.-rc remained noihi 

* for the King to do, bur either to lofe his Stile and 

* tie, and Kin^^dom of />^;7r^, or clfe rcfi.lve to del 

* the fame by Force. How to acl in the b^lt Manner 

* thefc Affairs, he added, was the CauicoahisACcmbll 

* forwhichEndhedtfircdtheCommoijstochufeaSpj 

* er, and next Day toprtlent him to the King'. Ac( 

(p'i John SfaforJ, who WIS afterwards tranflttcd to Car^.rh 
Li Imlv t'i }rj:t\ 



Of ENGLAND* 119 

ii^gly> they prefented John Bozves Efq; whofe Excufe ^'"8 Henry VI. 
being refufed, he madethe ufual Proteftaiion which was - j^ BowesEfq- 
allowed. ^^er. 

The firft Thing we find upon the Record that this 
Parliament v/ent upon, was to give Authority to the 
King's Council, to make Securities to the Creditors of 
the Crown for 100,000/. By the King's Letters 
Patents, Security was, alfo, given to certain Perfons, 
there named, for 8000 Marks, fent by them to the 
King, out of the Revenues of the Duke of Bedford, 
and the Earl of Arundel deceafed. 

An unufual Subfidy was, alfo, granted by this Par- ^„ „„^f^ ^^^ 
kment, viz. that every Perfon holding any Frank Ten- Subfidy. 
ant in Lands, Annuities, Fees, Offices, or Heredita- 
ments, above the Yearly Value of five Pounds, (hould 
pay Six-pence for every Pound, upon his Oath. Alfo, 
a Tenth and a Fifteenth was granted the King on the 
Laity; deducting thereof 4000/. for the Relief of de- 
cayed Towns and Villages. A Subfidy, alfo, on every 
Sack of Wool; 33;. 4 rf. from Merchants Denizens 
and 46 /. 8 d, from Aliens ; and fo according to that 
Rate on other Staple Ware, was granted the King, 
with Tonnage and Poundage for two Years. 

It is fuppofed that thefe large Subfidies were granted, 
as a very extraordinary Aid, to enable the King 10 keep 
his Pofleffions in ir^/zr^, then in great Danger of being 
entirely loft. What gave thegreateft Blow to that Inte- 
reft was the Death of the Duke of Bedford^ Regent of 
France^ who died at Roan^ September the fourteenth, 
^43>» foon after a Peace had been concluded between 
Charles the French King and the Duke of Burgundy, 
It isfaid, that the Duke o\ Bedford forefaw the Change, 
that would inevitably follow the making this Union, 
and that it would root the Ejigl'^/I) out of France ; 
which was one great Reafon that haftned his Death {q). 

Some public Afts were made this Seflion, in order 
chiefly to regulate fome Abufcs in other Adts, or to ex- 
plain them better. The moft remarkable are, ' That the 
' Judges, in their Circuits, jQiall have Power to give 
' Judgments in all Cafes of Felony and Treafon, as 

well 

[q) Daniel ia Kennet 378. 



130 The Tarliamcfitfry Hi sr OR. r 

King Hnur VI. ( well Upon PccfoDs acquitted as attainted, aodat 
' Executions according to that Judgment. That 
' Wools and Wool-fels, tliat (hall be Ihip'd to be 

* ported, ftiall be carry'dtoCfl/d:j only; and no' ' 
' fhall be granted to thcconli^ry, except by ihe 
' and Council. That all Wool and Wool-fcls, 

* olh^r Merchandizes of [he Staple, wbicti fball 
' ftiippcd in any Creeks or Ports, clandeftinely, 
' der to cheat the King of his Subfidies and Culli 
' {hall be forfeited to the King. That all Peifons 
' fliall dare to difturb any Foreigneis, in felling pi 

* ot other Viftuals, either by Wholcfaie or Retalcj, Qiiilt 

* forfeit Ten Pounds, one Moiety to the Kingi and 

* the other to the Perfon that fliall fue for the fame'. 
There is nothing elfe remarkable wiiich pafled ifl thia 

Seflion of Parliament; and the French W 2.1 &]il fub- 
lifting, another was called to meet at Camifktgt, 
January 21ft, the very next Year after the laft : Buf, 
for Reafons of State, not mentioned, was ordered by 
other Writs to meet at IVejiminlier on the Day ifoce- 
faid. 

John, Eifhopof Bi]th2.ni JVelli, Chancelioro£-£i8!.; 
AnnoRegni, i^Jarid, Opened lh:sScflJon with a very elaborate "_^ 
i.w'l^- n ^"'1 madcthis Text his Subiedt, Coranti Regm-in Mo-' 
nti iJet, &c. Ijaiijb 62. On which he demoiiUTai 
' That three Sorts of Men are crowned ; viz, all Gl 
' lians in their Baptifm, in Token whereof they 
' anointed ; all Clerks in their Order, in Token wf 

* of they are (haven ; and all King's in their Coi 

* on, who in Token theieof wear a Crown of 
' fet about with Flowers and precious Stonea. 

* Figure of the Crown he relcmbled to the Body 
' litic of the Nation ; the Flowers and S:ones ra 

' Honours and Offices of a Prince, as Gold eftir 

* blc and durable ; and that Commonwealth 
» firm and (table which is governed by the fait] 
' Care of a Prince ; for, as Gold is flexible 
' Workman, fo ought every Part of the Commona] 

* to be at the Beck of the Prince, feeking the Pi 
' perity of Him', 

' The eredling and ftanding of the Flowers, in tl , , 

* upper Part of [he Crown, denoteih the King's Pn^i 
Jlemiiiencr 



0/ 



ENGLAND. 231 



hemineacy Qver his Subj<?as j which ought to be gar- KiDfcH,enty VL 
niflied with four Cardinal Virtues. That is to fay, 
ia th? Fore- Part oyght to be Wifdom, adorned with 
ihree precious Stones, viz. ^^emory of Things paft, 
Ci^cumfpedlion Qf Things prefenf, iand Pi;udence in 
Things to come. On th^ Right Hand ought xp be 
Fortitude, accompanied with Courage in attempt- 
iPS> Paycnce in fuffering, and Perfevcraiice in well- 
nyafiipg. On the Left Side ought to be Juftice, di- 
<faribjiiu9g her Arms tliree Ways, to the beft, mean, 
apdlcwvcft. On the Hinder- Part ought to be Tern- . 
pcrance ^ifh her Trinity, viz. Reftramt of Seniuality 
in F^^r, Sjicnce in Speech, and Mortification in 
Will: Ajl whicbvproceed,ing froim God, fully prov'd 
thait tie^ Cro^wn of the King was in the Hand of God. 
He copdud?d with decUring, ' That this Parlia-r. 
ment was called fpr three principal Caufes ; the fir^, 
for Juftice and Peace amcngft Subje6ts ; the fecond, 
how the Commodities growing within this Realm 
mi^tbave a ready Vent ; the third, how the Realm 
might be defended, and the Sea kept againft Enemies 
an4 Rebels. To which End, hedefircd the Com- 
mons to chufe their S[)eaker, and prefent him the 
next Day to the King. 
T|ie Receivers and Trycrs of Petitions for Efigland^ 
and ail other Parts of the King's Dominion?, being ap- 
pointed, according to ancient Cuftom, the Commons Knt. s^aker^^' 
prefented Sir JtfZ'w Tinel^ Knight, to be their Speak- felling sick, 
er, whofe Excufe being refufed, he, with the common !!^^^^'^{" ^^^^riy, 

Prpteftation, was allowed. Bur, March ihQ 19th, ai^^'^jtead * 
Commitcee of Commons was feni to the King, declar- 
ing that their Houfe had newly chofcn TFilliam Beer^ 
ly^ Efq, to be their Spe?iker, in the Room of Sir John 
Tirrel^ difahlcd from attending by grievous Sicknefs, 
jvbich ff^lliam was allow'd by the King under the ufual 
Prpteftation. 

The Subfidies granted by this Parliament were the ^^^^^.^^ ^^^^^^ 
ike T^nth and Fifteenth, as in the laft. Alfo, the fame " ^»«8wn 
iubfidy on Wools, ^c. was granted for three Years 
o come." Authority was likewife given to the King's 
I^ouncil, to make AiTurances to the King's Creditors, 
or the Sum of too,ooo /. And by the fame Autho- 
rity, 



a 3 a T^he Parliamentary H i sT o et 

King Henry VI. rity, the Treafurer of England was to pay to the Ca^ 
dinal Bifliop of Winchefler 2000 Marks. 

The important Town of Calais was, at this Time, 
bcfieged by the Duke of Burgundy in Pcrfon, and a nu- 
merous Army. On this, the Duke of Gbcejier^ Cap- 
tain or Governor of the (aid Town, petitioned this 
Parliament, that if any Misfortune fliould happen to 
his Charge, for Want of Payment of the Soldiers in 
that Garrifon, the fame might not be imputed to his 
Mifconduft. However, Hiftory informs^ us, that the 
Duke of G&rf/?^^ went over in Perfon, with- an Army, 
to the Relief of that Town ; on whofe Arrival, the 
Flem'ngSy under the Duke of Burgundy^ rais'd the 
Siege, and fle4 away fliamefully for fear of a Battle. 
The particular Afts that were made thb Seffion 
Aaspafs'd, were, firft, ' A Remedy was provided againft vexatious 
and troublelbme Suits of fuchPerfons, as were not of the 
King's Houfliold, in the Court of Stewards and Mar- 
ihalsof the King's Houfe ; and it was allowed as an 
Exemption from their Jurifdidion to plead and aver, 
that they are not of the King's Houfe.' 

Second, ' An Allowance was given to all the King's 
Subjedts of Eiigland to tranfport Corn, when at a loW' 
Price, out of the Realm, viz. Wheat at fix Shillings 
and eight Pence, and Barley at three Shillings and four 
Pence iheQi^iarter.' 

Third, ' An Injundllon to all Sheriffs, Bailiffs of Fran- 
chifes, and Coroners, thatin Aftions, or Writs of At- 
taint of Plea for Lands, of the yearly Value of forty 
Pounds, they do not return nor impannel any Perfons 
but fuch as be Inhabiting in his Bailiwick, and have an 
Eftate to their own Ufe, in Lands and Tenements, to 
the yearly Value of twenty Pounds or more, on the 
Penalty of forfeiting ten Pounds to the King, and ten 
Pounds to the Plaintiffs in the faid A6lion or Writs of 
Attaint j and that no Perfon of lefs Sufficiency of Free- 
bold than twenty Pounds a Year, fhall be fworn in the 
King's Court upon any Iffue in the faid Adtions, if he 
be by the Plaintiffs in due Form challenged.' 

Fourth, * A Permiffion was given to all Perfons, as 
^f U Religious as Secular, to appoint themfelves General 

Attorneys 



0/ E N G L A N D. 133 

Attorneys to fue or plead for ihem, in every Hundred or King Hemy v 
Waponlake.' And, 

Fifth, ' A Prohibition was laid upon all Merchants, 
tofliip orcaufe to be (hipped any Wool, Wool-Fells, 
or other Merchandizes belonging to the Staple, in any 
Place within this Realm, except at the Keys and 
Wharfs aflign'd by the Statute, where the King's 
Weights and Wools are fet ; excepting the Merchants 
of Genoa (rj, Venice, Tafcany, Florence, Catalma, 
and the Burgefles of Berwki. 

Some Peiitions, alfo, of a mote pubtick Concern 
than ordinary, may not be improper to take Notice of, 
as, 

On a Petition of Humphrey, Duke of Gkcifter, and 
'^mtEleanor his Wife, the King granted his Letters Petitiom La Pu- 
Patents, confirmed by this Parliament, giving Licence ''»""'• 
lothe faid Duke to impark «0o Acres of Land in Gr«n- 
viUh, and that ihey may embattle their Manor-Houfe 
there, and build it with Stone i alio to raife a Tower 
, of Stone within the faid Park, 

John, Earl of Oxford, petition'd for a Pardon for 
jpo /. the Remainder of a Fine of 30OO /. paid to the 
King for marrying without Licence. It was anfwered, 
'hat ihe faid Debt was aliign'd over, hut that the King 
Would remember him fome other Way. 

Sir Richard Wasdville, Knight, paid to the King 
'000/. as a Fine fot m3xrymgJaquet,or yaqueline, 
Dutchefs of Ssi^eriJ, without Licence. This Foreign 
Lady fliew'ii as little Continence in her Widowhood, 
« Queen Catherine had done ; being quickly married 
"gain to the aforefaid brisk young Knight, afterwards 
tteated Earl of Riven, by whom fhe had fevcral Chil- 
dren j and amongll them the Lady EU-zabeth, who, 
being Wife to King Edtvard the Fourth, was after- 
ward! Queen of England. 

About this Time died Catherine (s). Queen of Eng- 
'iiiiiMother to Henry VL and it being notified to the 
King inParliamenc, that his Mother had made him fole 
^Mcutor to her Will, the King. appointed Robert Ral- 



('} IntheoIdSfamtt, thiiCityofC™ 
iO bhe died Jan. i, 1436 7, at Sii 



134 7^^*^ Tart'mmeiftary H i s T Qii t 

mifitSyVt.P'iy Cleik, Keeper of the great Wardrobe, J<Aii 
Mtrftati zx\6 Ri(hard Akced, Liqrs. to execute the laid 
Qiieeii'a W3l ; under (he Direction of ihe Cipdinal, 
ibe Duke of Gloctfler, and the Bifhop of liaiein, or 
aoy two of them ig whom ihey Ihould account. 

On the Petition of I/ait/,, 'ate Wife of Jo/jh, Bete 
Ittt of Btanjly, in ihp Couniy of Laficjjifr, Kn^hr, 
which Ijishil, one tfiUiam /*»//, of IWinali, in ibe 
County of Chijier, Gentleman, (hatnefully did r^viih ; 
ii was enacted. That if the faid ll^iUiam do not furxeti- 
der him&lf, after ProcUma'ion made againfl bviu that 
he ihould be taken as a Traytor attainscd- TTie Sid 
!/ab(l, by another Peiiiion, (hewed how the laid ^jV/Zflw, 
by Durcfe and Means of Imprilonmenc, enforced htt 
to many hira, and under Colour thereof, ravjih'ij iier j 
forwhith Ihe prayed to have her Appeal, which via 
granted, 
■il Pai- The laft Things we find on the Record, tranfcifled 
this Parliament, was the King's general Pardon of all 
Treafons, Felonies, Forfeiiures, and oljicr Offences j 
but this does not appear in the Statute- Books. And 
Authority wag f[iven to Ibe Lords of tlie Council, itfcr^ 
anfwer all inch Peiiiions as were not anfwered in tl 
Parliament. 

We have now a Courfe of three Years before we 
wiih anoiher Parliament i during which Time 
larger £ff^/i/j4Hiftorians are very lull in [heir Defci'ip— 
lions of (he FrerubWar, and the various Efteds of ic 
to both Nations. But in ihe Year 14.39, the £n 
Government wanting frefh Supplies, a Pariiamenl 
fummon'd, to meet on the Morrow jfter the Fea 
StMarlin, ot Ntrvcmbimih, ix. Uyimiufter. 
At which Tiffic and Place being ah aflemblej, 
egni 18. Bi{hop of Bath and li'clh ftill Chancellor, was cpi 
inlnfler. manded by the King 10 open the Scfliwn by a Speec 
who took for his Subjedt this Text from MatthWf 
Adaperiat Damintts Car nijlrum in Legefua, et k^P 
le^ii /kis, tl faciat Paccm, i^c. From which Wt 
hcendeavour'iitodraw two clpeci;il Points i the 
'.What great Defire every Chriftian ought to ha 
' the Reformation of his Liie, by the only Mear 
' Godj who, againlt ail Hardnels was to bend, and c(v] 
* incliiK 



thM 



Q^ 



ENGLAND. 231 



peolneDCy over his Subj^fls i which ought to be gar- King Henry vj. 
ufhed with four Cardinal Virtues. That is to fay, 
ftthe Fore-Part ought to be Wifdom, adorned with 
^ precious Stones viz. Memory of Things paft, 
[irpumfpedlion Qf Things prefenr, and Prudence in 
ihiDgs to come. On the Right Hand ought to be 
ordtude> accoQipanied with Courage in attempt- 
Eft Paueoce in fufiering, and Perfevtrance in well- 
sa^iiHg. On the Left Side ought to be Juilice, di- 
ibiitiag, her Arms tliree Ways, to the belt, mean» 
ilpwell. On the Hinder- Part ought to be Tern- 
"ance ^ifh her Trinity, 'uiz. Reftrant of Senfuality 
P^r^ Silence in Speech, and Mortification in 
ill: AH which, proceeding from God, fully prov'd 
^ the Crown cf the King was in the Hand of God. 
t cooclii^ded with declaring, ' That this Parlia- 
lU was called fpr three principal Caufes ; the firft, 
Juftice and Peace amcngft Subjedts ; tlie fccond, 
Mr the Commodities growing within this Reahn 
gilt have a ready Vent ; the third, how the Realm 
ght be defended, and the Sea kept againft Enemies 
t Rebels. To which End, hedefircd the Com- 
»ns to chufe their S[)eakcr, and prefent him the 
ct Day to the King, 
le Receivers and layers of Petitions for England^ 

1 other Parts of the King's Dominion?, being ap- 

sd, according to ancient Cuftom, the Commons Knt. Sjliake7'^' 

lied Sir 7«A« Tinel^ Knight, to be their Speak- failing sicic, 

hofe Excufe being refufed, he, with the common ^ '^^^'^J™ Beeriy, 

ftation, was allowed. Bur, March \hQ 19th, a^j^^jtcad.''"'* 

nitceeof Commons was fcni to the King, declar- 

lac their Houfe had newly chofL-n JFilliain Beer* 

!q, to be their Spe<iker, in the Room of Sir John 

\ diifahlcd from attending by grievous Sickncls, 

\ IVtUiam wasallow'd by the King under the ulual 

lation. 

.e SMbfidies granted by this Parliament were the g^^^^^^j^j ^^^^^^ 

'en^th and Fifteenth, as in the laft. Alfo, the fame " ^^*"8wn 

y on Wools, Ssfr. was granted for three Years 

ne.' Authority was likewife given to the King's 

:il, to make AlFurances to the King's Creditors, 

2 Sum of 100,000 /. And by the fame Autho- 

rity, 



I 



^^^^^ 234 The Tartiamentary H 1 s t aR t 

H KJng Hentj vi.A"' ^'^^^t Kccpcr of ihc great Wardrobe, John 
B" Mtrjisn and Rictard jflrail, hlqrs. lo execute the lairf 

^t C^cen's Will; under (he Direction of ihe CAtdina!, 

^H the Duke of Ghctftir, and the Bilhop of Limaln, of 

^H any two of them to whom they Ihouldacqount. 

^H On the Petition of i^lel, late Wife of Ji>J.'n Bote- 

^H Ur^ of Bcenfly^ in ili^ County of Lamafler^ Knight, 

^H whkh Ijhbel, one J^iV/ior/i /*«//, of mnali, in [be 

^^p County o( Chejitr, Gentleman, IhametuIIy didiavifh; 

^^M it Wds enadleiJ, That if the faid IViUiam do not fu^tcn- 

^H der himfdf, after Proclaitiation made againl^ kiftu tint 

^^F he fhould be tak^n as a Traytor atlairite4> Tbpfaid 

^P ^ir', by another Petition, fliewed how the laid ^;7/(fl»^. 

^m by Durefa and Meaiis of Imprifonment, enforced h^r 

H 10 marry him, and under Colour thereof, lavilii'd Iwr.ll 

^r ' for which the prayed to have her Appeal, which 

granted. . i, 

A gencnl Pat- The iafl Things we find on the Record, Iranfeifi^i 
ioa. ^ this Parliament, was ihe King's general Pardon of * 

Treafons, Felonies, Fotfeiiures, and other QSeneet 
fiut this (ioce not appear in. the Statute- Books, And 
Acithority was piven to the Lords of the Coua<;iI> U 
anfwer all fuch Petitions as were not anfwered In tb^ 
Parliament. 

We have now aCourfcofthree Years before we 

with another Parliament ; during which Time oui 

larger ifl^/i^Hiftorians are very full in their Defcftfig 

lions of the FrencbWar, and the various Kifefls of }| 

to both Nations. But in the Year 14391 ifie Eng^ 

Government wanting frefh Supplies, a Parlia.metit WM 

fummon'd , to meet on ihe Morrow after the Feaft M 

StMarlin, or Nevtmberi zih, rz ffijimi'ififir. .\ 

At which Time and Place being all alleoibled, tbo 

ano RtBoi iS. Biihop of Bath and If-illi ftiil Chancellor, was cpaj- 

:w?ftminncr. mandcd by the King to open theSctlitm by a Speecji, 

who took for his Subjedt this Text ftom AVM* (J. 

jfdaptriat Dmhus Car mflrumin Legefua, li m Pra- 

leptis /uis, tt facial Pacem, (^c. From which Wordj 

he tndeavour'd to draw two efpecial Points i the firft, 

' What great Defire every Chriftian ought to have to 

' theReformaiion of his Liie, by the only Means of 

' God ; who, againft all Hardnels was to bend, and to 

* inclice 




Cy E N Q L A N D. 133 

iaefB to file or plead for them, in every Hundred or Kug Henry v 

QDtake.' And, 

[th, * A Prohibition was laid upon all Merchants, 

ip orcaufe to be fliipped any Wool, Wool- Fells, 

ber Merchandizes belonging to the Staple, in any 

( within this Realm, except at the Keys and 

trft affignM by the Statute, where the King's 

dies and Wools are fet ; excepting the Merchants 

kma (r)j Vinice^ Tufcanf^ Florena^ Catahnia^ 

he Baii^fles of Berwick. 

me Petitions, alfo, of a more publick Concern 

Gidinary, may not be improper to take Notice of, 

n a Petition of Humphrey^ Duke of Ghafter^ and 

ftEleoMr his Wife, the King granted his Letters Petitions in ra> 

ats« omfirmed by thb Parliament, ^ving Licence *>*™eiit. 

le £iid Duke to impark 200 Acres of Land in Green* 

I and that they may embattle their Manor* Houfe 

;, and build it with Stone ; ahb to raife a Tower 

tone within the faid Park. 

fb/iy Earl of Oxford^ petitioned for a Pardon for 

/. the Remainder of a Fine of 3000/. paid to the 

5 for marrying without Licence. It was anfwered, 

the faid Debt was afiign'd over, but that the King 

Id remember him fome other Way. 

r Richard Woodvilky Knight, paid to the King 

>/• as a Fine for marrying Jtf^w^/, or Jaqueline^ 

zYisbof Bedford^ without Licence. This Foreign 

f fhew'd as little Continence in her Widowhood, 

yecn Catherine had done ; being quickly married 

I to the aforefaid brisk young Knight, afterwards 

ted Earl of Rivers^ by whom (he had feveral Chll- 

; and amongft them the Lady Elizabeth^ who, 

I Wife to King Edward the Fourth, was after- 

b Queen of England. 

bout this Time died Catherine {s)y Queen of Eng' 

^Mother to Henry VL and it being notified to the 

I inParliament, that his Mother had made him fole 

:utor to her Will, the King^ appointed Rober 



} In the old S^aCtit^, this City oi Genoa is always wrote 
She died Jan, 2, 1436-7, at BcrmorJfa^ and W 



I 



354 TheTartiatvevtaryH.ii.r^\x 

^VI.J^"* Cktkr Keeper of the gfeai Wardro'- 
Aitrflon znA Richard /Hrrei^ Liqrs, toexci 
Queen's Will; under ibcDireition of th. 
ibe Duke of Ghcefitr, and the BiQiop c>i l 
any iwo of ihem towbom iliey fhould acqouni. 

On ihc Petition of ^iel, late Wife of Jahn. Mi- 
/er, of B^atijiyy ui iiic County of Lamo/Ur, Knight, 
which Ifabtl, one U^illiam Pull, of Iff'tnall, ia JKr 
County of Qhejier, GeDlkman, ftamefulty t^iili^nSq 
it was cnaded, That if the laid fP^itliam do bqi fiuiG^ 
del himleif, after Proclamation made againft bifn^ ^ 
he fliould be taken as a Traytor attainteLj. Tbefaii 
ffatcl, by another Peliiion, (hewed how the did /!fjM'ii»i 
by Durcfaand Means of Imprironrnent, enforced tifr 
to marry hira, and under Colour t^ercof, ravilhV^i 
for which Ihe prayed lo have her Appeal, which wh 
granled. 
>ar- The laft Things we find on ihe Record, tranlkiiW 
this Parliament, was the King's general Pardon ofiU 
Treafons, Felonies, Forfeiiures, and other Offencei 
but this does not appear in theStatuie-Books. ArJ 
Authority was given 10 the Lords of the Council, m 
anfwer all I'uch Peiitions as were not anfwertd in this 
Parliament. 

We have now a Courfc of three Years before we m«t 
with another Patli-ioicnt ; during which Time out 
larger EngHJb Hiftorians are very lull in their DeSrfip" 
lions of the French War, and tlie various Effects of it 
to both Nations. But in the Vear 14.39, the Eri0 
Governmenl wanting frefli Supplies, a P.\r!ian)ent wjj 
fummon'd, to meet on ihe Morrow after the Feaftof 
StjWiiriin, ox November \ilh-, &l ff'ejlmiii/fcr. 

At which Time and Pbce being all aiembled, the 
'*• BiOiop of Batb and Ji'ells ftill Chancellor, was com- 
dcr, mar.ded by the King to open theSeffion by a Speech, 
who took for his Subject this Text from A*ati/:eu/ii- 
Adaperiat Daminus Car najhumin Legefua, el in Pre- 
iiptis fuis, et facial Pacem^ fJe. From which VVoid) 
he endeavour'd todraw two f (pccial Points ; tlie firft, 
'WJiac great Oefire every Chriflian ought to hsveto 
' the Reformation of his Lire, by the only Means of 
' Godi who, asainftall Hardnds wastobend, and w 



0/ E N G L A N D. 23s 

ine his Heart to God's Laws andCommandoienls. [^ 
2 fecond, what Thirft every lick Chr-illiao ought 

^ to have, to crave and feck Peace, after his manifold 

^ Conflifts and Battles in this World, 

* Astoihefirft, that God Ihculd open the Heart, 
^ ajjd not the Hearts, fince the Words vrere fpcken 
^ to the Children of ^rai'/ ; he notcti that ihcreby was 
•■ meant a myftical Unity, according to thefc Words 

* in yiidges ii. Csnvenit umverfus Ifr^el <3^ CivitaUm 

* fua/i Homo unus, ladem mentt, WKqus Csn/ilh. 

* "Which being fpoken to them, waa left for our 

* Learning, ihat we might follow the fame, and might 

* attain to true Peace. 

' To the fecond, By this Word Ifrael is underftood 
« their States, namely, ot Princes, of Nobles, of 

* Power and of Wifdom; all which, iftbeythe fame 

* agreed in Unity, there was no doubt but Peace of 
' Body and Soul would enfue. 

• For the Relloring of which, he told them, that this 
< Parliament was called ; remembring them, that the 
*- King would have all Eftates enjoy fheit Liberties; 

* then defired the Commons to chufe, and the next 

* Uay prefenl iheir Speaker to the King.' 
This formal Prelate having ended hia Spiritual Ha- ^mj^^ t,e( 

rangue, the next Day ihe Cuminons prelcnted to the ham.Eri]; 
, King Pf^iUiam Tnjham Eliji who with.thc ufual Soiem- Sp"^' 
nity was allowed. 

The Subfidies granted, hy this Parliament, wfiea 
yim/*, Tind a Fi/tfeitf/i i and halfa fj/'Wa (A was grant- 
ed to be levied of the Laity, in fuchForm as was in thCg ,;, 
fourth Ytarofthis King. An Impoft on Wools was 
alfo granted for three Years, as Anno 1 4. Hsu. VL The 
Commons alfo, giantedto the King, that all Aliens, 
not Denizens, within the Realm, ihould pay to the 
King Yearly, Sixteen Pence for each, being an HouJe- 
keeper; being none, Six Pence. 

The fame Authority was alfo given to the Treafurer of 
Mngland, wnd others, to make Securities for 100,000 /. 
as-in former Parliaments. An Order was alfo taken 
for the Payment of the King's Debts, contrjdted for 
,tJlB Provifions of his Houlhold. 

Dtamberf 



T.ef- 



I 



13 6 7be TarliameutAty- H i s t o r r 

L Deamhiry 21, llie Chancellor by the King's Coi 

mard declared to ihe Lr^ciiS and Comrnons, thai t 

. KJr.g had prorogued the P.irliarrient from that Day un 

ihc IJ^y after 61. Hilary next coming, to be holdeni 



There were no lefs than Nineteen Statutes d 
this Parlbment, tho' how long it fat at both Placai 
is uncertain. The miill remarkable of which Adsi 
thcfe, 

I. ' That Cbcere and Butter may be carried out ( 
the Kingdom without Licetwre.' 

II. ' ThatMerchant Strangers (hall not fell their Mfl 
chandizes one to another in England, hut. that evei' 
J Juch Merchant fliail have an Hull orSurvcyw, q 
pointed him at his landing, by the Chief Officer of ijl 
Town or Place where he fhall land, who ihM keep* 
Regifterofallhe buys and fells, and take two Pence i 
ihe Po'jnd of him for all Merchandize by him h 
or fold, and the f^id Merchants Ihall fell and bu|^ 
within eight Months.' . , . , . 

III. .' That all Perfons, made Juftices of tbcPfflS( 
fliould have Lands and Tenements to the Valuel 
twenty Pounds a Year, except in Cities and CorpWS 
lions.' The Reafon aflji^ned for this Statute m 
as it has very lately heen thought proper, becaufe ita 
fome Peribns had been appointed Juiiicea, who, 1 
account of their Meannefs and Incapacity coul4 i 
governor direft the People; whilft others, by rp 
ion of their Necelfiiies, committed great Extortiui 
andOppreflions. 

IV. - That no Captain fhiilldetain the Wggca < 
Common Soldiers, except it be for their Clothing, i« 
cer the Penally of twenty Pounds for every Spear, all 
ten Pounds for a Bow i 10 be paid to the Kingfr^.' ■ 

V, ' That every Perfon muttering and receiving tl 
King's Waffes, who (iial! depart from their Captaia 
and the King's Service, without apparent LicciM 
granted them by the faid Captains, (hall be puniflied! 
Felons.' 

VII. * That no Perfon (liall he a Collector of Di/m 
and ^iinzimes, ['fenths and Fiftsembs,} in any Cou( 



(0 swu 



iS Ki-H. VI. I 



0/ E N G L A N D. 137 

kn who is fo in the City of the ft me ; except he be '^"S Henry vi 
Pleto difpendy in Lands and Tenements, in the faid 
|Dt»Dty,an HundreJ Shillings a Year, over and above all 
Charts and Reprifes.' 

There are, alfo, many Petitions on Private Affairs, 
vhichare not worth Notice; the moft publick from 
tte Commons, withcluir Anfwcrs, are as follows: 

Pit. That no Peribn cnce making Fine for not being 
Knighted, be ever again calkd for it; and that thc^^^^^* 
t Fines be no oth^r rhan ufual. 
' Jnjiv. The King will be advifed. 
! Pit. That every Mcrcn:ini mny lawfully tranfport 
all manner ot Hides, Calf-fk n>. Long- Fells and Tal- 
fcw, to what Place he llkeih, befidesto Calais. 

Anfw. The Kin?, will be advliV-d. 

Pit. That no Owner of any Ship be impeached for 
any Hurt done by his Ship to a*^y other Ship on the Sea, 
or in Pert, or Creek, ii he was not a Party thereto. 

Attfuj. The lame as before. 

Pet. That every Colledor of Cuftoms^ and Comp- 
trollers of cvey Port, may licence the King's Subjefts to 
tranfport Com from one Shire or Town, to another, 
taking Surety of Debt, to the Value, that the fame be 
not carried beyond Sea. 

Anjw. As before. 

Pet, Tnjt no Italian, or other Merchant, beyond 
theStreigh's of Morocco^ [i.ow G//>r^//^r,] bring any 
Merchandize ir'o the K calm, but fuch as is the Pro- 
duce of iheir own G>untrics; for very good Reafons 
meniii-ncd in ihc Rcc(jrd. 

AhjZu, The :ame as above. 

Pet. ThcU all Spicerici fold in any Port within the 
Re<^lm, by any Merchants Strangers, be as clear gar- 
belted as the i»me is in Lo}>don. 

Anfw. The King will be advifcd. 

An Aft was: made ihisSellinn ;hit the fourth Part of 
the Tento :ii.d F'ftee^^ih fhall be paid to the Treafurer 
of the Kli.'r:^ » ojil^uld, in cider to make ready Pay- 
ment for iht K;ri;^\ Pu; vcVance. And, by the faid A<S 
it 'i\> :c:ir', the Revenues of the Dutchies of Lamajler 
and Co^'Tiiral were alio appropriated to ihatUie. 

On the Peiition of ihc Juoj,es ic was cnacle ^ ' That all 

the 



238 The Parliamentary History 

iCmgHcnryVl.jj^g j^f^i^gs of both Benches^ Juftices of Aflize, 
King's Serjeant and Attorney, fliall yearly, at 
Feaftsof theYear then exprefled, be paid, and all 
ed their Fees and Liveries, by the Hands of the 
of the Hanaper^ for the Time being, out of the 
toms of London^ Brijlol^ and Engfton upon Hull. 

The Archbifliop of Roan^ Cardinal Luxenkirg^i 
to whom the Pope at the Death of the Bi{hop of ^j 
had granted to the faid Archbifliop, during his Life, 
the Profits of the faid Biftioprick, by the Name cwf 
miniftrator, fliew-dliis Bull to the King, who uttd 
rcjefted it. Notwithftanding, for his Services done 1 
France^ the King makes liim a Grant of the Admin 
tionaforefaid. Softridly was the Statute of-Pr, 
nire^ fo often mentk)oed, adhered to in thofe Days. 

The laft Thing that we think proper to take Notii 
of among the Tranfaftions of this Parliament, is, 
in Confideraticn of the great Plague of Peftilence, fe' 
called, it was enadled, ' That all fuch Perfons as ftouM 
do Homage io xjnt King, fliouM do the fame without hlfi 
ing him ; and the fame Homage to be as good as thougl 
the 'Kifi wasgiven.' On which William Prynne makes thi^ 
wife Remark, *That, by this it appears that the Cuftom 
' of Homage done in thofe Times doth greatly vary 

* from the prefent -Ceremony ; for now they are fo far 
* * from kifling the King, that they do not fo much a& 

* fee him.' 
In the 20ih Year of this King, another Parliament was 

called by Writ, to m^^lTii Wejlminfter^on the Feaft of ^ 
Anno Regni ^o^^^ CoHverfion ofSt. PcuU but no more than the Names ' 
1442. of the Peers, fo Summoned, is given in the Jbridg- 
^^^^^^^^^'' went 0/ the Records dbout lU But, in the Statutes at 
large, there are thirteen A6ls faid to be made in this Par- \ 
liament ; yet, none of them being particular, we muft 
refer the very curious Enquirer to the Statute- Book a- 
forefaid for them (^}. And, it was not 'till three Yeara * 

after ' 

fu) Comer's Eccies. tJifi. Vol. I. P. 66S. 

(x) One of them feeros to be well calculated for the publick Good, viz. 
That no Officer of the Ctiftoms, or Searcher^ ihall have a Ship of his 
own, ufe Merchandize, keep a Wharf or Inn, or be a Faftor; in order 
to avoid the many Fratid} that would naturally enfoe from tbencci Cbef, p 

IAt. Daniel has wholly omitted this Parliaaicat* 



Of- E N G L A N D. i35> 

'ter this Period, that we meet with any Account of King Henry VI, 
Parliament, when Writs were iflued out, dated at 
'ejlminfier^ January 1 3 . for one to meet at the fame 
ce on the 25 rh of Feburary following. 
In Prefence of the King firring in Perfon in his Chair 
■frfSute, and of the Lords and Commons, John Sfaf'^^^^^^'^^- 
yird late Bifliop of Bath and /^^//j, but now Arch- At w^fon'miicr. 
%ifliop of Cattterbury^ Primate of all En^land^ Deputy 
to the See of Rome^ and Chancellor of England^ de- 
iidared the Caufe of callmg this Parliament, and took 
hforhis Subjeft thefe Words from Pjalm Ixxxiv. Jujlitia 
^ Fax ofcukta futjt. 

On which he told them, * That thro* the great Di- 
f"* ligence and Condudl of the Earl of Suffoli^ the King's 
*• dearCoufin, and other Noblemen, fent as Embafladors The King's 

* into France, as well upon a Treaty of Marriage to Marriage notifi- 
^ be had between the King and Margaret^ Daughter^" 

!^ to the Kingof S/V//k> as for to fettle a Peace between 
^ England and France^ the faid Marriage wascontradt- 

* cdjandaSufpenfion of Arms, for a Time, was grant- 

* cd. He further faid, that the faid Earl ftaid in France 

* for the fafe Condudt: of the faid Princefs Margaret in- 
^ to the Realm of England^ by which two Means he 

* nothing doubted, but that, thro* God's Grace, the 

* faid Truce wc^uld end fo well that Jufticc and Peace 

* fliould be within this Nation more than it had been/ 
'He then bid the Commons chufe and prefent their 

Speaker to the King. 

On the tccond Day of this Parliament the Commons 
'tiotified To the Lords, that they had chofen their Speak- William Burgh- 
er; and the next Day they presented William Burghley^ ^^y ^^5 ^^'f- 
Efq; to the Kinn;, whofe Excufe being rejefted, he 
was allowed as Speaker, under the Common Protefta- 
jtion. 

• This Seflion, we find, by the Record, Was continu- 
ltd to Mfirch ihe 15 ih, but no Notice taken of any 
|*nore Bdfinels done in it; when the Chancellor, by 
'the Kmg's Command, with the Afient of the Lords, 
fJmd in the Pieience of the Commons, prorogued the 
: Parliament from thnt Day to the 19th of Jpri/ next 
cnfuing, at Wejim:tijier aforefaid. 

This Prorogation v/e may fuppofe was defigned to 

give 



238 The Parliamentary History 

KingHenryVl.^j^g j^ftices of both Benchesy Juftices of Affize, 
King's Serjeant and Attorney, (hall yearly, at 
Feaftsof theYear then exprefled, be paid, and a 
ed their Fees and Liveries, by the Hands of the 
of the Hanaper^ for tlie Time being, out of the 
toms of London^ Brijiol^ and Engflon upon Htdl. 

The Archbifhop of Roan^ Cardinal Luxenburg 
to whom die Pope at the Death of the Bilhop ofi 
had granted to the faid Archbilhop, during his Life, 
the Profits of the faid Biflioprick, by the Name of 
miniftrator, Qiew-d "his Bull to the King, who ut 
rcjefted it. Notwithftanding, for his Services done 
France^ theKing makes "him a Grant of the Adror 
tion aforefaid. Softriftly was the Statute of iPr* 
nin^ fo often mentioned, adhered to in tbofe Days. 

The laft Thing that we think proper to take Noti( 
of among the Tranfaftions of this Parliament, is, 
in Confideration of the great Plague of Peftilence^ 
called, it was enafted, * That all fuch Perfons as flwa! 
do Homage IQ tl^ie King, (hould do the fame without iifp 
ing him ; and the fame Homage to be as good as thoi 
the "Kiji wasgiven.* On which William Prynne makes .. 
wife Remark, *That, by this it appears that the Cufto 

* of Homage done in thofe Times doth greatly vary' 

* from the prefent Ceremony ; for now they are fo far 
* * ffom kifling the King, that they do not fo much 

* fee him.' 
In the 20th Year of this King, another Parliament was 

called by Writ, to m^ti^iTVe/iminfter^on the Feaft of 

Anno Regni 20. ^^^ Converfion of St. PauU but no more than the Name* 

1442. of the Peers, fo Summoned, is given in the Jbridg' 

^^^^^^^^"' merit 0/ the Records dbout lU But, in the Statutes a 

large, there are thirteen Ads faid to be made in this Par- j 

liament ; yet, none of them being particular, we muft 

refer the very curious Enquirer to the Statute- Book a- 

fcrefaid for them (x). And, it was not 'till three Yean 

after .j 

fu) Comer's Ecdcs. Wfi. Vol. I. P. 66g. ' 

(x) One of them feexns to be well calculated for the publkk Good, vrA 

That no Officer of the Cuftoms, or Searcher, ihall have a Ship of hii 

own, ufe Merchandize, keep a Wharf or Inn, or be a Faftor; in ordw 

to avoid the mtiny Frandx that would naturally enfue from tbence« Chef, p 

Mr. Daniel has wholly omitted this Parliamciit* 



r 



Of ENGLAND. 241 



I 



flrudtion. What Notice was laken of tbeie primary King HBnryVfc 
Affdirs, in Parliament, the Confequence will fliew. 

This Pariiament being agajo alierablcd on the I9;h 
of >i'^r(7, according to ihe Prorogation, ihe firft Thing 
we find entered upon the Record, is thcGrantof aSub- 
fidy of a Tenth and a Fifteenth^ andhalf a Itnth and half a^ subGiiy. 
Fifteenth^ relerving out of it 5000/. lo be allowed to 
certain poor Towns, there named, which were wafted. 
A Subfidy on Wools, a]fo, of 34. j. 4 if. of Denifens, 
and 53 J. of Aliens, for every Sack of Wool, i^t. with 
Tonnage and Poundage of Denifens, and double of 
Aliens, was granted to the King for four Years. 

The next Thing the Parliament did was to take in- 
to Confiderailon the Affair of the Peace with France j 
and we find that ihe Chancellor tAEvgland-, in the Pre- 
fence of the King and whole Parliament, made a PrO- 
teftation, ' That the Peace which the King hid made 

* with the French King, or rather was about to make, 

* was meerly of his own Motion and Will ; and that 

* he was not inftiga ted thereto by himfelf, or any of the 

* Lords whatfover.' Which Protefl was enrolled. 
On this, it wasenafted, by the Authority aforefaid, 

' That the Siamte made in the Reign of i^riry V, im- p, 

* porting. That no Peace Ihould be made with the French 

• King that now is, and wiis ihen called ihe Dauphin 
' of Frame, without the Afient of the three Eftates of 

• both Realms, ftiouid be utterly repealed and revoked. 

• And that no Perfon, wharioever, fiiould be impeach'd 

• at any Time to come, forgiving Counfel to bring 

• about this Peace with Frarut. ' 
- This extraordinary MX, which by the bye, is not in- 
ferted in the Statutes of this Parliament, feems to have 
been calculated for a Compliment to the Earl of Suffolk-, 
now naade a Marquefs for this Piece of Service, and td 
indemnify him from any further Trouble about the 
Match. We are [old, by the Records, that on the 
fccond Day of Jane the Marquefs came into the Houfe, 
and made a Declaiation of feis Services to the King, 
Lords and Commons, and his Requefl was, that they 
would judge all he had done to be reafonable and juft. 
That on the +th of June, the Speaker of the Houfe of 
Commons came before the King and Lordfi and therc^ 

Vol. a. Ci. in 



242. "fhe Parliament dry History 

King Henry VI. in Behalf of their whole Body, highly commended the 
Perfon and numerous Services of the Marquefs and Earl 
of Suffolk^ particularly, for the King's Marriage, and 
^ffolk"*^^*otM ^^'' obtaining the Truce with France ; for all which, 
b^thcParSr-^ at the Requeft of the Commons and Mediation of the 
mentforhis Lords, a Votc was pajQTed, ' That the faid Matt]uefs 
Condua therein. < q^q^\^ ^^ efteemed as a moft trlie and faithful Subjeft 

to the King/ 

An Hiftorian of Credit, and more circumftantia! in Par- 
liamentary Affairs than any other (s), tells us, That 
the Marquefs oiSvffM made a long and elegant Speech 
in theHoufeof Lords on this Occafion ; fetting forth 
the Pains and Labour he had been at in his Embaflage 
into France^ as well in concluding a Truce for aSea- 
fon, as in making up the* Match for the King ; adt 
vertifing them, that, as the Truce was to expirein 
Apr'iU he like a faithful Subjeft advifed that all Pre- 
paration (hould be made for the Prefervation of the 
Kmg's Country m France, praying them to take No- 
tice of it, and give him a Difcharge for his Legation. 
The next Day he went into the Lower- Houfe, and 
with equal Eloquence, not only fhewed his Fidelity 
in his Legation, but fet forth what great Charges be 
had been at in attending it, and fetching over the 
Qi-ieen ; defiringthat this Avftion might be recorded 
in the Parliament Rolls, and himfelfbe difcharged by 
both Houfes, with a Confideration for theExpence. 
Behold, (adds our Authority) what the Eloquence 
of Favourites can do ! Few Men of Prudence in 
either Houfe, but knew that the Marquefs deferved 
little Thanks for his Labour, either in making the 
Peace or the Match ; yet, as if all had been well done 
for tlie Nation's Inrereft, the very next Day the Speak- 
er of the Houfe of Qommons, tViWam Burghfy^ at- 
tended wirh a great number oftheKoufe, wentup 
to the Lords, and defired their Concurrence in a Peti- 
tion to the King, to reward the Marquefs for his Ser- 
vices. And to (hew their Gratitude, they caufed the 
whole Adtion to be enrolled, and gave him a whole 
Fifteenth in Confideration of his Expences'. 

This. 



{') Sam, Danielitt Ketmet, P. 394, 395. See Stawe's Cbr^iu P. 385? 



©/■ENGLAND. 243 

This is our Hiftorian's Account, which differs not Kiag Hewy Vfc. 
much, except in the EmbeliDimem, from the Records i 
and, except the Fiftemth given to the Marguefi, of 
which there is no Mention in the Mridg-vint, nor in 
any of our ancient Chronicles, Rapjn remarks, that 
this was one of ihofe Parliaments that was managed by 
Court Intrigues; wiiich, adds he, has been too often 
ihe Cafe. This plainly appeared in a Refolution to re- 
turn the Margueji of Snffbli public Thanks for nego- 
tiating the.King's Marriage, without any Advantage 
accruing to eilher King or Slate, by uniting him lo a 
Family that was a mortal Enemy to boih (a). 

There are no lefs than eighieen feveral Afls, fome 
new, and others explanatory, which were pafled this 
SelHon, and are in our Statute-Books. The Heads of 
thofe, ihaich'efly regard the public Concern, are thefe: 
» A Rehearial of the Statute made 1 5 Hen. VI. Chap. II. 
touching Licence to tr:!iifport Corn, when Wheat 
doth not exceed 6 s. and 8 d. and Barley 3 i. and 4 d. 
the Quarter, made perpetu:ir {b). ' No IVJan fhall be 
Sheriffor Under-sheriff, £ff<:. aboveaYear.' 'NoShe- 
riff (hall let to Farm his County or Bailiwick :' ' The 
SieriiK and Bailiffs Fees in feveral Cafes limited.' 

* An fld for the ordering and levying the Wages of 
the Knights of Parliament.' 'Wholhallbe Knights for 
the Parliament.' ' The Manner of their Eleftion. The 
Remedy where one is chofen and another returned.' We. 

The King's Letters Patents under the great Seal of 
jEff^/a»rf,andundertheSealofthe Dutchy of Laiuajiir, 
tn^e to John, Cardinal and Archbifhop of Canterbury, 
Mid feveral others, relating to fome Poiieffions in the 
faidDutchy; and three other Letters Patents under the 
Seat only of the Dutchy of lancajler, made 10 the 
Perfons aforefaid, of feveral PolTcflions to the Perfor- 
jnance of the laft Will and Teftament of ihe prefent 
King, were read and confirmed by the whole Eftates 
in Parliament. 

The King's Letters Patents for the EreiTtion and En- 
dowment of EatoT! College, founded 20 Henty VI. with 
(^1. all 

(a; g*fh, Foi. Ed, jfg. 

(t) This m! done, fiyi Wb.7, to plfsft ihc People ; oJ eJ^tuw VUff. 
And M.-1S ipm corfirmea bj E^-i--d IV. 






144 7^^ Tarltamentary History 

IUd| Henry VI. all the Lands and Liberties, then, and now granted, 
were efpecially declared and confirmed by Parliamait. 
As, alfo, the like Letters Patents of the Kbg's, made 
for the ereding and endowing a Collie \King*s College] 
in Cambridge^ were publickly read and confirmed by 
this Parliament. 

The new Queen feeing the Marquefs of Suffolk^ 

whoisfaidby Hiftorians to be loo great a Favourite 

with her, particularly honoured for his Services by 

the Lords and Reprefentatives of the Nation, found it 

no Difficulty to get her eafy Hufband to join inomfer- 

Ut is created a ring ncw Dignities upon him. He was prefently raifed 

Duke and gains from Marqucfs to Dukc of Suffblky and had feveral 

^J:^^,J^'^]^7^^* Manors and Wardfhips given him to fupport this new 

by tLeQuMn^r Dignity ; and, having the Queen's Heart, who certain- 

•Means. \y managed tlie King as ihe pleafed, this new Duke 

may properly be then faid to be the greateft Man in the 

Kingdom. 

The Perfon that flood the moft in their way to an 
abfolute Rule, was Humphry^ for hb great Humanity 
and Hofpitality, juftly, called the good Duke of G&- 
cefter. This Nobleman had been long engaged in a 
mortal Quarrel vsiih his half-bred Uncle, Henry Beau- 
fort the haughty Bifhop of Wz/rZ^^/Z^r ; as the former 
Part of thefe Enquiries, and the larger Englijh Hiftori- 
ans, do more particularly relate. 1 he Duke had aded 
in his Proteftorfhip with great Wifdom and Caution ; 
yet, even in that great Poft he could not efcape a Snare 
laid for him by the Cardinal, and his other Enemies. 
His Dutchefs was accufed of tampering and dealing 
with Witches and Conjurers, in order to deprive the 
King of his Life, and raifeher Hufband to the Crown. 
The fuperftitious Ignorance of that Age made this Ac- 
cufationeafily credited j and, being found guilty along 
with her Accomplices, they fuffered Deaths andfhe 
afhnmeful Pennance and a perpetual Imprifonment. 
. The new Favourite, as hath been faid, having found 

thr^iiuTn"nfThe he CGuld nothave all Things within liis Gripe, without 
Duke of Clocef- removing this great Man, foon contrived to effect it. 
*•'• The firlt Step that the Queen and her Minion took» was 

f p ^xt the Duke of Gloucefler^ not only difplaced from 
having any Command about the King's Perfon, but 

eveo 



0/ E N G L A N D. 245 

even from his Council. Not long after lliey accufed^"BHcmyn, 
him of feveral Crimes and Mifdeameanors; all 
which the Duke cleared himfelf fo well of, that he was 
honourably acquitted of them before the King and 
Council. 

This Difappointment did but aggravate his Enemies 
the more againft him, and many other Snares were laid 
to catch him ; for, it was judg'd, they durft not openly 
attack a Man of his Charafter, who was really the Peo- 
ple's Darling. But, a more plaufible Expedient was at 
laft thought of. A Parliament was refolved to be call- 
ed, where he was to be apprehended for fome Charge of 
High Treafon, committed to clofe Cuftody, and then 
they thought they might work their Will of him. 

Accordingly, we find, by the Records, that Writs A Parliament 
were firft iflued out for calling a Parliament to meet at^^'^ ^°' ^^ 
Cambridge^ on the loth Day of February^ 1447 ; but 
afterwards, for Reafons of State no doubt, other Writs 
were difpatched after them to fummon the fame Peers, 
by Name, to meet in Parliament, on the fame Day at 
St. Edmunds-Bury^ When, being met in xht.Refe^ory 
of the Abbey there, John Archbifhop of Canterbury^ . 

Primate, Legate and Chancellor, as before, opened the °°°i^^ *^* 
Sefllon by the King's Command, and took for hisSt. Edmunds* 
Theme thefe Words out of the Proverbs y ^i autern^^^* 
ineunt Pads Concilia^ Jesuit ur illos Gaudiuv), 

In repealing his Text, ^i autem^ ^V. he faid, 

* There were three Kinds of Counfels ; the firft, of 
' the Wicked, utterly to be (hunn'd, according to the 
' Saying of the Pfalmijl^ Beatus eft Vir^ qui non ambu^ 

* lavit in Confitio Ivipiorum. The fecond, of the 

* Good and Learned, who go with Circumfpeftion, 

* according to Ifaiah 6. Finito Conftlio fujcepit a^ior in 

* Domu fua^ 6f fecit Cosnam magtiam. The third, 
' of the Holy Ghoft, expelling all Doubts by work- 
' ing inwardly, according to the Pfalmiji^ Confiliutn 

* autem Domini in atemum manet; Cogttatiomsejus a 
' Gen&atione ad Generationem,^ 

All which, his Subjeft, according to the Abridger^ 
he enlarged with fundry Sayings and Examples, and at 
laft thought proper to acquaint th?m, ' That between 

* the AmbalTadors of the Englijh and French Kings, an 

0,3 * Agreemsnt 



2^6 The 'Farliamctttary History 



If- fhoul4 I 



William Tr. 
Sum, Elqj c 
edSpeiker. 



King Henry VI. ' Agrccm'-nt was made, that the two Kings 

' have an Interview j and that fufficient Afliii 

' would be given for his Majefty's Paflage beyond 
' Sea, his fafe Refidcnce there, and Return. For which 

* Reafrn, ihe King defired their Advice, and would afl 

* accordingly. He concluded, as ufual, dcliring the 

* Commons to chufe and prefent their Speaker, and put 

* them in mind, that the King's Will was, all Eftates 

* fliou'd enjoy their Libenics.' 
The Receivers anci Tryers of Englijh and Foreign 

Petitioni to this Parliament being appointed ; on the fe- 
cond Day the Commons prefented, as their Speaker, 
^' WiBiam Tnjham V.if^'i whofe Excufe being rejeflcd, be 
Was with the Common Proteftation allowed. 

It is very lemarkable, after this ulual Preamble, that 
the Heads of all the Aflsmade in this Parliament, in 
the Statute Books, are comprifed in two Lines. And 
what is mentioned in tlie Abridgment of the Recards Is lit- 
tle or nothing to the Purpole. Authority givefi to the 
King's. Council for 100,000 /■ Some Grants of ihe King 
lohisnew erefled Colleges oi Eatsn and Cambridge, 
and an EJichange in the new Queen Margaret's Re- 
venues of 4655/. 13J. and ^d. ouiof the Cuftoms, Wf. 
for fome other Land^ and Herediiaments fettled on her, 
, during Life, confirmed, was every Thing materi- 
al done in this Parliament : Except another Article, 
which may lead us into an Enqiiry about this Itrange 
Proceeding of calling a Parliament on fuch a trifling 
Occafior, ; and when there was no Subfidies aflted nor 
given, nor anj' other Bufinefs of Moment done at it. 
The Anide is thi?, ' That it is by the King cnaifled, 
' that Eleanor, the late Wife of the Duke of Giscefler, 

* (hall be utterly barred from claiming any Dowcrof. 

* any of the Hereditaments, i3'c. of the faid Duke.' 
By this it appears, that another Motive, and Which 

been hinted at before, was the Occalion of calling I 
parliament; andfinceit has been fo carefully kept OUJ 
oF the Records, the more general Hiftoriaiis muft infor^ 
us. 

' With [he new Year, fays one (f), the Lords begad 

[^Sam.Dar.Ulh^Kii:nsl,V. 396. 



0/ E N G X A N D. 247 

to prepare for meeting in Parliament at Bury {d) ; and King Henry vi. 
that the Duke of Gkcefter might fear no Evil, all 
Things at Court were carried with great Smoothncfs 
towards him. But Care was taken to have it whifper- 
ed in his Ear, that it was neceflary he (hould be at it, 
to prevent the Defigns of the Queen and her Party. 
The good Duke, not at all jealous of ill Praftices, 
but retaining his old Zeal for the Commonwealth, 
hearkned to the Caution, and with the reft of the 
Lords came to the Place at the Time appointed, ready 
to attend the National Bufinefs. 
* On the firft Dav of the Seflion, all Things went 
well enough, and tne Ceremonies at the Opening of a 
Parliament were performed ar, ufual. On the fecond 
Day the Lord Beaumont (e)^ then High Conftable 
of England^ being accompanied with the Dukes of 
Bttcimgharmnd Somer/et^ and many other?, arreft-r J}^* ^^^^ **^^ 
ed the Duke of Ghcejier, and put him in Cuftody un- fj. ' *'"*' 
dcr a ftrong Guard. His Servants were all taken 
from him, and ihirty-two of them fent to different 
Prilbns. The Nation was in great Amaze at this 
fiidden Aftion, and every Man was inquifitive to 
know, what new Matter was found out againft the 
Duke, who had fo lately cleared himfelf of all that 
could be alledged againft him. His Enemies thought 
it neceflary to lay fome Crime to his Charge, and 
therefore gave it out that Humphry, Duk^of Gbcejler^ 
with his Train of Servants, had traiteroufly confpir- 
ed to kill the King that he might fet the Lady Eleanor 
his Wife *)at Liberty. A ridiculous Charge, but, yet 
fufficient to quiet the People, whom they only fear- 
ed, in the Execution of their Defign ; for the more 
iniprobable his Crime was, the cafier it would be to 
free himfelf, and fo the People refted content with 

0^4 ' the 

{d) To which Town all the Commonalty of the whole County of Suffolk 
were warned to attead the King there, in their moil defeniible Array. 
Fabian's Cbron, Antu> 1447. HoUingfhead writes, that Bury was pitch'd 
upon as a much properer Place to execute their Purpofc againft the Duke, 
than either /^^m/ff/f«r ot London, on account of his great Popularity. 
Cbron. P 627. 

7« Stowe fays, that the Roads about Bury^ were all kept by arn»- 
ed Men* both Day and Night, fo that many died of Cold and Watching* 

Cbron, P. 38,6. 

(0 He is called in the Lift of Peers, John Lord Vifcounc Btatmant* 



248 Tlje Parliamentary History 

!•* the Sen fe of his Wifdom and Innocency. Bat his 

* Enemies had contrived otherwife, thai be Ihould ne- 

* ver come to his Dcfencef/) 1 for the Night after his 
' Commitment, as feme fay, but others a few Nights 
' after {g), he was found dead in his Bed, and his Body 

* fhewed to theLords and Commons aiTemliled in Parlia- 
' ment, and lay expofed 10 open View of a!i Comers 
' for fome Time ; in which, bccaufe no Signs of a 

* violent 0eaih appeared, it was reported, that he died 
' of an Apoplexy or Impofthume. But, bccaufe none 

* of his Servsnis fufFered after his Death, which they 
' ought to have done, had they been guilty of High 

* Treafon, as was alledged againft them, (though five of 

* them werecondemned, and when near their Executi- 
' on were pardoned by theDukeofi";/^»/(f'jMeans(AJi) 
' it was generally thought a fufficient Ground to be- 

* lieve, that he was murdered by the Queen's Means; 
' and fome were fo particular as to report, that he wa» 

* ftrangled between two Pillows, or Feat her- Beds, as 

* Thamai fFMdjhci,'D\iVs of G/«5/??r before him, had 

* been ; others that he had an hot Spit run up his Fun- 

* diment, asKing£(fwflrilI. had; othersaffirmed,lhat 

* he died of mere Grief, becaufe he faw he muft now 

* fall a Sacrifice to his Enemies Malice, without being 
' allowed to defend himfelf; all which Conjeftures 
' have little Foundation. The moftdifcreet judge, he 

* was murdered ; but, being tranladted in private it 

* was not lafe ro determine by what Means.' 

It 

C/J T*tHi!TDitT cfCT'cylaBd, cotcmpDiarj, fpealtj [hui oftheDukc, 
Stui ad Kifp^fum no., admipi, mcjudidali Exemi-a rtsfl'.wiflfw , fff- 
prcjijfti a ineelums. Mam (frth Dehr} maVml cUtui ^ a ^tnfrt. 
Hip. Cnyland. Onilimiah. P. 511. 

(g) Fehiaa Ciji mtb'm Gi Djp aicci the Duke wai arreiled. Cirm. 
-*«"" 1447. 

Join iiosae, Twenty four-Daji ; mi thit fome faid Ibe Duke gied for 
Sorrow, that they would not bring him to his Anfwcr. Ci™. P, ^Si. 

(b) Their Nsmei were Sir Rrigtr Oambcriein Knight, MIMnsB, Ha- 
ktrr, and Arthur Efquirts ; ' ""' ■--" 



ic Hickard Nridham I'm 



MsnoefB of Su£hli, there prelen: 



and mirked with ■ Knile for that Pnrpoft, tl 



~.t King'i PirdoQ for ii, 



Of ENGLAND. J4j 

It is more than barely probable that this lad Con- King Henry vi. 
jeilure is right ." A Parliament had been fummoned on 
fotriflinganOccafion, as is mentioned in the Lord Chan- 
cellor's Speech; and which, by the bye, was a mere 
Pretext j for not one Word more is mentioned in the 
Records or Hiftory, relating to (he Rojal Interview 
there fpoVenof. On which, we may well fuppofc, that 
it was a Trap laid to catch the Duke, and the Event too 
plainly fliewa that his Death either public, or private, 
was the principal Defignof it. 

The Death of this great Man was, very Toon after, 
revenged upon hU Enemies; the Cardinal Bjfliop of 
WintheJleT died within a Month of him, and, as we are 
told, in great Agonies both of Body and Mind. And 
Iho' the Queen and the Duke of Suffolk now managed 
both iheKiiigand Kingdom without Controul, yet ihe 
Reign of the latter was very ftiorr lived, as the Courfe 
of thefe Enquiries will (hew. The Method they took 
to govern, was very opprellive and intolerable to the Sub- 
jefts; and tho' the Queen made ufe of her Hulband's 
Name, yet (lie could fcarely hide her Ufurpaiion, be- 
caufe, in England, the Queen Confort haih no Power, 
but Title only. 

The Death of the Duke of Ghctjltr had yet another The Dofce of 
ill Confequence, hy opening a Door to (he Duke of ^''"'''" '''*'**- 
York to put in his Claim to the Crown, which he ne-ic"^." ^ ' 
ver dutft have done, wh)lft a Man of fuch Wiidom and 
Popularity, as the former, flood in his Way. It does 
not appear that Turk had any Hand in the Duke's Mur- 
der ; but it may be well fuppofed, that he was glad to 
fee leaded by others ; and that the Queen and her Mi- 
nion went on, in the Governmenr, in the arbitrary 
Manner theydid. In a fmall Time after Duke Hum- 
pbrf% Death, he beg^n toreprelent to his Friends the 
Mifery of the Nation, which, under ilie Name of a 
King, weak and unable to govern, was ruled by an 
ambitious (^een, and her Favourites, He firftpui it 
into their Heads, That it was neceliary to pitch upon 
fome other Perfon to be King, fmce the prefent King 
had dcpofeJ himfelf, in Effeft, by fufFering the Queen ' 

and SiV^W to over- rule all ; that King //fff;*^ was really 
jigood Mjn,but litter foraCIoifter than a Palace, there- 
fore 



ijo 7S^ 'Parliametttary H i s T o r r 

Kiof Haaijr VI. fore the Kingdom was to be put into better Hands tl; 

tthoreof Wcmcn and Favourites. Hrvinglhusartf 
infufed into their Mindu a general Difcontent, he 
put forward his own Title to the Crown ; which, 
lowing Hcrediiary Right to be valid, was-indubit 
Yel, added, ihattho' he would not vainly vaunt hii 
felf fit for (o great an Office, he might boUly claim l 
Crown as his Right ; and hop'd, that the Diligence and 
Valour he had ihewn in France, for ihe Prelervation 
of the ErigliJI} Dominions in ihat Kingdom, were De- 
monftrations enough to prove, that he had the true Spirit 
of an Englijhman in him, and was zealous in all 
Things for the Goodof the Nation. 

Thus much is thought proper to be Did, tho' fome- 
what digrefiive from our Parliamentary Defign, in 
order to keep upa Connedion in Hiftory; and tofbew, 
at what Time ihofe great Difputes between the two 
Houfes began, which ntar overturned the whole King- 
t3om. It was two Years after the Iai\, thatwe meet 
with another Parliament, which was called hy Writs, 
dated at JVepr.inJler, January id, to meet at the fame 
Place on ihe nth of /Jriraarj' following; the firft Peer 
now on the Lift, is Rkhard'Q^ke.tiiYQrk. 
AnnoRegTiii;. On the Day appointed being all meiinlhe Painted 
M49-. CliambcrufthePalace, yu:?^ Arthbifhop o^ Canterbury, 
At wsitainfttr. Chancellor of England, declared theaufe of the Sum- 
mons, and made a notable Declaration ; butwhatit was, 
TohnDisEft- '^"'' ^^ridger lakes no further Notice. Three Da vs 
chofcnSp«ak«. after, the Commons prcfented John Dcy, Efqj for their 
Speaker, who was allowed; and foon after a Grant 
of a TVn/Aand hi\i il Fi/teentb, to be levied on the 
I-aiiy, palled both Houfes ; with a Grant, alfo, of 
Tonnage and Poundage, for five Years to come, on 
all Mttchants whatfoever, wiih an Addition of three^' 
Shillings more on Aliens, as well of the Hanf 
Towns as otherwife. Auihoriiy was likewife givrai to^j 
the Council of State, to borrow ioo,oco /. as well m] 
the King's Revenues, as his Jewels- 

We find, en Record, that another Grant Waa mat 

pJS* '"'' " ^° ^^^ ^'°^ °^ "^^'^ ^ ^^"'^ ""'' ^ *^°'= Fiflienth^ ' 
be leviedas before. Alfo, a Poll-Tax was again rene 
ed and granted to the King, of Sixteen Pence to betake«I 



L 



0/ ENGLAND. 151 

_ cverj" Houfe-holder within the Realm^ not born mna Hemr VK M 

'Within the King's Dominions, and lix Pence of every ^™ 

other Perfon, fo born, and no Houfe-holder } with 

fix Shillings and eight Pence ofall and every Merchant- 

Slranger, and twenty Pdnce of all ami every of their 

Clerks. Laftly, the like Sublidy on Wools was 

granted for four Years, as before. 

A Meflage from the Duke of Somerfity the King's 
Lieutenant in France^ was delivered to this Parliament 
•uerbatim^ by the Lord Hajlings Chancellor of Franeey 
and the Abbot Q^Gkcefter\ importing, That the great 
Preparations the French were making, were fuch, that, 
if a War fhould happen, then the Country of Nerman- 
^ was not able to defend iifelf. And, as the Truce 
was to endure but for fourteen Months, it was necefla- 
ty to acquaint the King and Council, in Difcharge of 
the iaid Duke, that they might provide a'ccordirgly. 

The Engl'Jh Government took fome Alarm at this 
Meflage, and being well provided with Money by the 
late Subiidies, a confiderable Reinforcement was IentN[ 
over to the Duke Regent; but ihefe had ill luck, and 
were moft of ihem cutoff} after which, the Duke of 
Samerfit gave up Caen to the Fi ench, and in (hort, all 
Normandyy thirty Years after it had been cojiquered 
by Uinry the Fifth. 

A Motion was made in Parliament, that the Soldiers 
Wages at Calais, and the Charge of the Reiiarations 
there, be paid oui of the Sublidy on Wools ; it was 
granted. This Motion produced an Afl, which hore 
this Title, ' Bccaufe in the Reign of King Edward 
' IIL the Subfidies and Culloms of the Staple o( Calais 
' was ihreefcore and eight thoufand Pounds Yearly, 

* and DOW is not above twelve thoufand ; therefore 

* no Licence granted, or to be granted by the King", 

• fliall be available, for the Carriage of Wools, Fells, 

* or Tin, to any Place out of the Realm but to Calais. 
' And whofoever doth obtain, accept, and put in Exe- 

• cution any (uch Licence, fhall be out of the King's . 

• Proteflion.' 

Ailb,i.t was enafled, that if Woollen Cloths, made in 
this Realm, fhould be prohibited or not accepted in 
figllandy Brabant and Zeland, under the Dominion of 
the 




2^1 The Parliamentary History 

King Hcniy VI. the Duke of Burgundy^ then no Merchandize, grow- 
ing or wrought, within any of his Countries, (hall 
come into England on Pain of Forfeiture thereof (i). 

' Upon Contention between William Earl of ArundA 
znd Thomas E^r) of Devon (i), for Superiority of Place 
in Council and Parliament, it was enafted by the King 
and Lords, with the Advice of the Judges, That the faid 
Earl of Arundel and his Heirs, by reafon of the Caftle 
and Honour of Arundel, (hall for ever enjoy the Prehe- 
minence in the Prefence of the . King and elfewhere, 
above the faid Earl of Devon, as worftiipfully, fo faith 
the Aft, as any of his Anceftors, Earls of -^ra«^/ be- 
fore that Time ever had. And yet, it is obfervable^ 
that in all the fucceeding Lifts of Peers fummoned to 
Parliament, the Earl of Devon is always placed before the 
Earl of Arundel. 
But the moft remarkable Thing done this Parliament, 
the cie^"?* ^^ ^^^ ^y *^ Bifiiops ; who now made a ftrong Pu(h to 
peal thestatutrhave the Aft of Pramunire repealed. They had made 
^fPnemuntre confiderable Intereft in both Houfes to effeft their Dc- 
provcs ineffeau. |jgn^ ^^^ j^ ^^s ^n vajp^ The greater Part of the Lords 

and Commons were fo zealous for the Continuance of 
it, that ^hey were conftrained to endure that Eye-fore; 
and it remains in Force to this Day (/). 

This Parliament had two feveral Prorogations j one 
from the 4th of April to the 7th of May, and the 
other, as the Record (ays^ by reafon of the Plague then 
reigning in London and IVeJlminJler^ from Aday 30th to 
June i6th, ^tlVincheJier-y tho' we cannot find that they 
ever met at that Place. 

We have hinted before, that the Englijh AfFairs in 
France were in a very bad Situation at that Tinxe. 
The Nation dif-The Lofs of Normandy is afcribed by an Hiftorian (w), 
contented. to three Caufes ; Firft, the Treachery of the Natives 
there ; who, tlio' natural-born Subjefts to the King of 
England^ yet being Trench, in Language and Cuftoms, 
ihey affeded Subjeftion, moftly, to the French King, 

Secondly, 

^ij Statatrsat Large Ca^. i, ». 

{k) Wtlliam Fitt-yJlan Earl of Arundel, Thomas Courteney Earl of 
Devon, Dugdale*^ BaronageYoi, I. P. 323, 
(I) Daniel in Kcnmt, P. ifoo, 
[m) Ibid P. 401- 



0/ E N G L A N D. 253 

Secondly, The Duke ofSomer/et*s Avarice, who kept King Henry vi. 

not the Garrifons full as he ought to have done, that he 

might pocket the Money allowed for Soldiers. And, 

laftly^ The Divifions at Home, in which the Great 

Ones engaged with fo much Zeal that they had no 

Regard to Affairs abroad. 

TheLofles in France being known m Englandj it^p^^^jj ^ 
bred a general Difcontent amon^ft the People; and thecaird to meet at 
Fault was totally laid on the Queen and her Miniftry. Lcjceftcr. 
The loudeft Eicclamations were raifed againft the Duke 
of SujffbUy as. the chief Inltrument of all the Mifcon- 
duft r and it was refolved, that he fhould undergo a Na- 
tionsd Enquiry about it. The Queen, apprehenfive of 
the Danger her Favourite was in from fuch a Pro- 
ceedure, did all fhe could to prevent it. Firft, by cn- 
deavouruig to hinder a Parliament from being called ; 
and next, when fhe could not avoid that, by having it 
fummoned to meet at Leicejier ; where, in a Country- 
Town, Ihe imagined, her numerous Attendance might 
over-awe the Members. But the Lords and Commons, 
who knew they were fafe under the Protedtion of the '^^^^^f^ 
City of London^ pofitivelyrefufed to meet at all, unlefs where but"at 
they were appointed to come to Wejiminffer, So the Wcftminfter. 
Writs of Summons were iflued out, ^2Xq^ September 23d, 
for a Parliament to meet, at the latter, on the 6th Day „ ,. 
of November following. ^ira Ze"' 

By the Abridgment of the Records^ we find that this accordingly. 
Parliament underwent feveral Prorogations ; for on the ^^** ^*^8n» »3. 
firft Day of the Seflion, John Archbiftiop of Canterbury^ '*^°' 
declared to the Lords and Commons, that, for avoiding 
the infeftious Air of Wejifwnjler^ the King had, really, 
prorogued the faid Parliament to London ; and defired 
the Commons to chufe their Spe?iker, and prefent him^"' Prorogu d 
the next Day to the King. Sir Robert Cotton here '° ^°"^"''* 
obferves, that itfeems the Fear of the Plague had caufed 
the Archbifliop 10 forget his Oration ; and the Clerk of 
Parliament to enroll him as Chancellor. Which fhews, 
that fome Thing or other put them in great Confufion 
at this Time. 

On the third Day of the ScfEon, the Commons 
prefcnted Sir John Popham Knight, as their Speaker, 
whofe Excufe for not ferving the OfEcc, we find, 

was 



2S4 The Parliamentary History 

King Henry VI. was accepted, and he was difcharged. So on the &Del 
'William Tre- Day, the Commons''prefented fFilliam Trejbam^ Efij;fci| 
iiiam. Efqiciea- the feme Purpofe, who, with the common Protefitfr 

Jh/tof sir^"' was allowed. 

John Popham December 4th the Parliament waa again adjoaraed 

«Ma»'d. from London to Wejlminjier^ to be there held by the 1 

Chancellor, in the Prefence of the King, Lords and 

^^^'d'^* Commons the next Day. And, on the 17th Day of 

again to Weft- the fame Month, the Archbifhop of Canterbury Chan- 

minfter. cellor of England^ in the King's Prefence, and on hb 

Behalf, gave Thanks to the three Eftates, and prorogued 

the Parliament from that Day unto die 22d of y^fiuifj 

next at Wejimin/ier. 

This laft Prorogation may be accounted for, byrca- 
fon of the Chri/lmas Holidays ; but we arc further 
told, that on the faid 2 2d Day of January^ when the 
Parliament met, the Archbifliop of Canterbury was dif- 
charged from the Office of Chancellor, and Jdn 
Kempe^ Cardinal and ArchbiOiop of Tork^ wat put in 
Fnid thence to his Place ; that they fat at Wefiminjier to the thff- 
'*«*^*«»^* • tieth Day of Mauh ; and then the Cnancellor, by the 
King's Command, prorogued the Parliament from the 
faid Day to the 29ih oiAprily next enfuing, at'IW- 
cejier. 

In all this Time there is not one Word more of Bu- 
finefs done this Seffion, than is before mentioned. But, 
after this, an extraordinary Subfidy was granted ; which 
AltTgeSobfiJy. was, 'That every Perlon having by free Deed, Copy, 
Grant of Annuity, or Ofiice, the clear Yearly Value 
of 20;. in Frank-Tenement fhould pay Six-pence, and 
fo from 20 s. to 20/. From 20/. to 200 /. Yearly, 
Twelve- pence in the Pound : From 200/. and upwards 
2;. for every Pound, as well Laity as Clergy ; Guar- 
dians of Wards, Men having Fees, and all Corporations 
to pay accordingly. Several Sums alfo, out of the 
King's Revenues and Fee-Farms, to a great Value, 
were allowed to bear and pay the Charges of the King's 
KoufhoJd. 

Bur, before the laft Prorogation to Leicejler^ came 
on the Trial of the Duke oi Suffolk^ on fevcral Articles 
cf Hi^h Treafon ; whith, becaufe he faw that he could 

not 



0/ E N G L A N D. aji 

not avoid, he moved for himfelf C«). For, according *^8^«"7 VI. 
to th6 Record, on the 22d Day of January^ the Duke 
ftood'up in the Houfe of Lords, and required the King 

* That he might be fpecially accufed, and be allowed 

* to ahfwer to what many Men reported of him, that 

* he was an unfaithful Subjedl.' He further told the 
King, * That his Father, and three of his Brethren, 

* died in his Service and that of his Father's and 

* Grandfather's. That he himfelf had ferved in the 

* Wars thirty- four Years j and, being but a Knight, 

* and taken Prifoner, had paid for his Ranfom 2000 /. 

* That he bad been of th^ Order of the Garter thirty 

* YeJrs, and a Counfellor to the King fifteen Years, 

* and had been feventeen Years in the Wars, without 

* returning Home. And, afking God's MeVcy, as he 

* had been true to the King and Realm, he required 

* his Purgation/ 

January 26, the Commons came before the Lords, 
and required that the Duke, on his Confeffion, might be 
committed to fafe Cuftody ; but, the Lords and Judges, 
upon Confultation, * thought there was no good Caufe 

* for it, unlefs fome efpecial Matter was objected a- 

* gaiftft him/ 

January 28, the Speaker came again, and declared, 

* That the Duke cf Suffolk ^ as it was faid, had fold this 
Realm to the French^ who had prepared to come hither ; 
and that the faid Duke, for his own Defence, had fur- 
nilhed the Caftle of IVaiiingfo^-d with all warlike Mu- 
nition ; whereupon at the Speaker's Requeft, the faid The Duke of 
Duke was commitied to the Tower of Londofi^ . SufFoik c^wnit- 

February 7, the Speaker of the Home of Com- ^ ° ^ °^^"* 
mons, the Chancellor and the Lords, fent to the King 
a Bill of Articles, by which they accufed William de la 

Pok^ 

(i») Hall writes, that the Duke of Suffolk was called in every Man's 
Mouth a Traitor and a Murderer, a Robber of the King's Treafurc, and 
worthy to be put to the nrioft cruel Death j iox which Reafon the 
Queen, fonocwhat fearing his Diiflru^lion, but m^re her own Confufion, 
caofed the Parliament before began at the Black Fryen in London^ to be 
adjourned to Leicefier ; thinking there, by forcing the Laws, to fubdue 
aiul reprefs ail the Maiice and IlUwill conceived againfl the Duke and 
her. But tew of the Nobility would appear there, fo that the Parlia- 
ment was again adjourned to London. HaH's Cbron, Fol. CLVIII, 
Hyllhgjhead, P. 631, J, Stcive, P. 387, 



» 



3 j6 Tfje ^Parliamentary H i st o r r 

King Hmhj VI. Ptoi, Dijke of SuffhSi, late of Ewelm in the Coun^i 

Oxferd, of I'undry Treafons ffl^ w's. 
Anitlei iRiinft I. That the liiid Duke having the WardOiip d 
kim. Margaret ilie Daughter and Heir of Jflis Duttll ti 

Somtrftt^ he meant to marry his Son j^ain to her i » 
thereby for want of Ifliie of the King, to 6m * 
Crown> and to procure the French King, by mean* 
certain Pieuch Lords, there named, to depofc A l: 
King. In 

II. That he procured the Delivery of ihelWd bi 
Orleans, and praflifed with him tocaufc thefrw'' i« 
recover the Engijh Conquefls in that Kingdom. 

III. Related to the Duke's Promife of Dcli«I 
Anjou and Main, to requite the King of Sinjf 
King's Enemy, without !he Afleot of the olh«l 
bafladors. 

IV. For difcloling the King's Coimfel to !be' 
of Dumoys Baltard of Orleans, and to othen of: 
French Nation. 

V. For betraying to the ir^«fi the Strenglt 
King's Piles, Oid nance, and Munition, beyond! 

VI. That the faid Date, by difcloling the 
SscretSj caufcd the Peace to be broken. 

VII. That the D.id Duke fupparted the King^i: 
mi«, by flaying fmidry Arms which fliould 1m« 
fed againft them. 

VIII. That ihe Did Duke had ftrengt lined iheK 
Enemies againft him, by not comprornifing in dS 
Peace the King of Arragm, who is almoft loft, 
the Duke of Britany, who is wholly (b [p). 

All which Articles, the Commons require to 
rolled, and that Prolecution may be awarded the 

On thegth Day of March, ihe Commons r 
new Complaint againft the Duke, in Effect follow 

Firit; For procuring the King, in ins iSihYti 
give away the Inheriuince ana L.;nds cf the CnW 

(o) FiUjn write-, fhit Jama Finn Lord Ssy, tit Bilbl 
iirjF. and Damil7rcviUan, CenUtmen. with mhtn, wen , 
timi!, ateufed by the Commoia. Fatija'i Ctnm. A. 1450. 

(f) B<if!ii remitki, thit Hifttxiam fay the Duke clsu(4 

fctsJifl/,-,*! Hiji. ^J E.-ihnl. Vol. EJ. r. 574. 



0/ E N G L A N D. 257 

For procuring many Liberties in derogation of the King Henry vi. 
Common Law, and Hinderance of Jullice. 

For caufing the King to give away the Caftle of 
Muntisn ieSearl, and other Territories ic Guientie. 

For thai the Earl of Armonac and other Nobles of 
Gttienne, were -drawn from their Obedience to the 
King, by ihe faid Duke's difcovering of Secrets, to the 
utter Impoverifhment of this Realm. 

For procuring the King to bellow the keeping of 
divers Towns and Offices in Normandy and Gutenne, 
on unworthy Perfons, 

For procuring the King to grant the Earldoms of 
Enrtney and Latigueviley and other Lordfliips in Ner- 
maxdy to the Baftard of Orleans, and other Frend-- 
rtjett the King's chrefeft Enemies, without the Aflent 
of the Council. 

For that the Duke procured the King, in his own 
Prelence, to promife the Fnnih Embaffador to attend 
in Petfon at the Convention in France-, to the King's 
Subverfion if it had taken Effeift. 

For caiifing the Subfidies granted to be contrarily 
employed. 

For caufing the King's Treafure to be fpent on the 
FrenA Queen, and other French People. 

For confumiiig the Sum of 60,000/. left by the 
Lord Dudley the late Treafurer. 

For conveying out of the King's Treafury the Ob- 
ligations of the Fintiance for the Duke of Orleans. 

For piocuring himfelf to be made Earl of Pembroke^ 
and obtaining the Lordfliipj of Havtrf»Td-Weft, after 
the Death of Sir Rmland Lenthal. 

For (laying the Procefs of Outlawry againll IVilUiim 
Tdlbois, Efqj of Lincoln, upon fevcral Appeals of 
Murder. 

For procuring a Pardon to the faid Ifilliam, for not 
appearing upon Suretyfhip of Peace. 

For procuring Perfons of his Confederacy to be 
isade Sbcrifis. 

For procuring a Garrifon of Evgli^men to fight a- 
gainft the G^rwani, the King's Allies, on the Pan of 
:hc French, the King's Enemies, 

R All 



258 The Tarliamentary H 1 s T o n t 

King Henry VL All which Articles the Commons required to be 
enroU'd, and that the faid Duke might anfwer to 
them. 

On the 9th Day of March the Duke of SuffHi was 
brought from 'the Tower ^ by the King's Writ> into 
the Parliament Chamber, at Wijiminfier^ befote the 
King and I^ords ; to whom the Articles aforeikid were 
rehearfed, who defir'd a Copy of them, which was 
granted. And, for the more ready Anfwer to them, 
he was committed to the Cuftody of certain Efquires, 
in the Tower within the King's Palace. 

March the 14th the fpid Duke appeared again before 
the Lords, and on his Knees denied the Truth of the 
firft eight Articles of Treafon againft him ; and offered 
to prove them falfe in any Manner the King (hould ap* 
point. The firft of them he denied as impoflible, in- 
ferring^ thatfome of the Lords knew he meant to have 
married his Son to the Earl of ^rw/V^'s Daughter, if 
fhehad lived. To many of the reft, he referred him- 
felf to the King's Letters Patents, and to fome h&% of 
the Council. To the yielding up of Anjou and Main^ 
he referred alfo to the Adts of the Council ; which 
(hew, that other Lords were privy thereto, as well as 
liimfelf, and iliidihat the fame wasdeliver'd up by tlie 
Bifliop of Ch'chejler^ then Keeper of the Privy Seal. 

On March i7th the faid Duke was brought again 
before the Lords, to whom the Chancellor repeated 
the Anfwer he had made, and told him, that therein he 
had not put himfelf upon his Peerage, and asked the 
Duke which Way he would be tried ? Who, kneehng, 
faid, that he hoped he had anfwered all Things to the 
full, and fo proteftlng his Innocency, referred himfclf 
entirely to the King's Mercy and Award. 

Thereupon the Chancellor, by the King's Com- 
ft« 18 ftntenced mand, pronounced this Sentence, * That fince the 
t'> be banj(hcd ' Duke did not put himfelf upon his Peerage, the King, 
fi'veS''"'^''' in relition to the Articles of Treaion contain'd in 

* the firft Bill, would be doubtful. And as to the Ar- 

* ticies of Mifprifion, the King, not as Judge by the 

* Advice of the Lords, but as one to whole Order the 

* Duke had committed himfclf, doth banifh him the 

« Realm 



©/•ENGLAND. ijp 

• Realm, and other his Dominions, for five Years ; King Htnry Vli. 

■ from the liift Dayof May nextenfuing {a).' 
After which Sentence being given, the Lord Vif- 

COUnt Beaumont., Lord High ConftabJe, ftood up, on 
"be Behalf of the Bifliops and Lords, and required, 
^Thar it might be enrolled, that the faid Judgment 
Mras by the King's own Rule, and not by their Af- 
fcnt; and alfo required, that neither they nor their 
Heirs (hould, by this Example, be barred of their 

■ Peerage and Privileges.' 
Mr Cullier here remarks, that by the Enrollment of 

bthisProieftationi it appears, the fiifhopshad an equal 
Right of being tried by their Peers with the Lords 
Temporal : Why elfe, adds he, (hould it be moved, 
in Behalf of the Bifhops, that this Cafe of the Duke of 
Sttffgli might not be drawn into a Precedent, to the 
Difadvantage of their Peerage (d). 

We have chofc to give the foregoing Account cA this 
Parliamentary Inquiry, into the Mifcoiidufl of a Prime • 

Afinifter, from the Records thcmfelves ; our larger ' 

EngUJb Hiftorims are much more prolix in the Circum- 
itances of this Trial, but not altogether fo confiftent 
with Truth. What we have to add, about the Fate of 
this unfortunate Statefman, is, that undoubtedly the 
Mildnefs of his Sentence proceeded from the Queen's 
great Indulgenceto him; who was in hopes, thathrsfliort 
Baniftiment mieht laft longer than the Malice of his Ene- 
mies againft him. But, unhappily for both, the Duke was 
taken Prifoner at Sea, by a private Englijh Captain,who 
had way-laid him, had his Head fttuck off on the gut in his Paf- 
Sideofa Cock-boat, and fell oijenly a terrible Example f«ee " matJeirf 
of divine Vengeance, for the private Murder of the '')' * '^"f'^- 
good Duke of Gkucejler. Yet this Minifter, bad as he 
was, hath found fome Advocates in Hiftory i and 
one old Writer particularly, remarks, ' That the molt 
' vile Thing in this Parliamentary Accufation againft 
R a ' him 

(a) TheHifto-yof Croylsad, after girirEtlie Duke of Su^tf » nioft 
Unible Chinflec, iya, ihit he wu condemn'd by Perlunient Co ^n-- 
^M? Banifbmcnt. Staimii dilidt Parli^auiitiJ, cavaiia Regis O^aifa- 

Ktm, iffrmin ixiWam andtrniobaKi perpetuum i Infidiat- ' •■ 

taadTimpm, i ~ " ' ■ ■ ■ - 



stafrealiimi in Puna ptrtpinei ftTimpcniam 
ag!r«i""i ' HJt(. Crgvboil. ConiinaiUo, f. jic, £1 Oaia, 



'sElt.HijI.. Vol.! 



p. 672, 



a5o TV Tarliameatafy H i sto R t 

I. ' him was, that llicy thouW cliwge that as a Cilimi| 
' on Su^sH now, which ;hey Uiemfelvcs had ioij 
' act Parliament conl'eined unto and ratified (().' 

There was lililc other BufiDelsibiin whalismeD' 
ed, ijone at this Seflion ; and do Ads of aayQ 
quence were paf^'d, except one only, mcn^oan iBfl 
Abridgment of the Records, call'd nn A& of Scliillf 
Uon ; .whereby Power was givep io tJie Kinp, ' V 

* lake into b!« tiands all Heredilimenis. OiEix^^ 
' bertics and Giants whatfcever, from the firftDi 

■ his Reign to the making of this A^ ; except a 

* pfculiar Grants there mention'd.' 

By the Dwke of Sufoli's Deaili , the Door was m , 
ftill wider for the Duke of lira's Claim to the CibW 
and he, with his Fri«nds, made all the Ufe thefCM 
of this favourable Conjuniflure. An Hilloiian (^ Ijj 
u?, that his Friends gave it out in all Comiffl" 
' Th« llffi Uatifn, being governed by a IM 
"' King and an ambitious Queen, who neithctofW! 
' undc-rHood the true Me;ilures of GovenuncDhJI 

* daily decay in its Reputation and Imereft, of *' 
' the Lofs of Fratict was an invincible Demonthi 
' That the publick Good ought to be morefl 

' look'd into, rind Men of fuch Abilities raij'd vM 
' Htlm, arinight both ndvance the Honour of ttie»l 
' /i/J-, and be a Terror lo their Enemies. Tiwl 
' Duke of Ysrk vP.is a Perfon every way qualifis^l 

* the greaieft Truft, having given a veiy great Pfl 
' of it in compofing the Rebellion io /rfliiad, ] 

* great Satisfaiilion to (be People, as well aa 

* the King. That in realiry, that Dutea 
' Tiilc 10 the Crown, the family of Ltim 
' no better than Ufmpers; and, though, ioi 
' Henry mi^hr. be toleniWe, if be was ather S 

' F,i;bcr OF his Grand Fathet, whofe Virtue aiKt;Q 
' rage made their bad Titles overlool^'d j yet f 
' eafy and gentle N.it'jre render'd him inca(IS*"~ 
' veroing well, it "was better for the People-^ 

* Perf in, lah, if hhid na Right, was ibttt 

* i« ihi Naiim ts wield a Sceptre., but waaS 



OfR NGLAND. -i(Ji 

'ii Heir, thin fuffer »thers to ufurp the Power rf^^l Henry Vl. 
^hem, and the King himfelf^ a Mi/chief, 
I atid fuch like DiCcotirfes being VftW relilhed 
jenerality of thd Nation, it was not long be* 
Ri^folution oT a Change was put to a greater 
The Story of the Rebellion under J ad Cade^ 
sd hihifelf Lord Mortimer^ is too w^ll known, 
any Repetrtibti here \ cur HiAorians XxxpQKs^, 
Fellow was* fpirited up, under Hand, by the 
Tork^ to try the Bfcnt of the >ifiirivon, in regard 
'itle 5 tbatirOrd^ or Sir JoSw Mor^mer having 
Jthcr to the Earl of March, who was beheaded 
it Reigti, and who was then the undoubted 
the lind of Wnf. Our Purpofe is, only, to 
w ttiuqh tlie Parliament of EngUnd were con- 
1 this Quarrel ; and one beltig called the next 
I the mkUl of 6^'s Rebellion, We fhall pro- 
nir Enquiries df what was traiifaAed at it. 
been our C^Oiti, hitherto, to give a Lift or 
he Peers, famftloncd to Parliament, in along 
rt Reign, in order to inform the Reader under 
imcs and Titles they were then called, as well 
irticular Nunibif^f them. We think proper 
:he following Lift of Peers, fummoncd toat- 
: next Parliamedtj fince in a fmall Time after, 
re interrupted by the Civil Wars^ and moft of 
!etings then were to their own Deftrudticms. 

the 29th Year of Henry the Sixth. Anno Regni ^^. 

'ing, &c. to Richard Duh ^York, &c. to mtet 1451. 
miiifter, en the Feaft of St. Leonard, fcfr. JVit- At WcftminiUr. 
King at Weftmmfter, September the fifth. 

Duke of Exeter, JVilUam, Earl of Arundel, peerage at that 
>Uke of Norfolk, Ralph, Earl of Weflmm-^ T«nc- 
y, Duke of Buc- land, 
im, Richard, Earl of Salififury, 

, Dvkt of Somerfit, John, Earl of Oxford, 
, Earl of Warwick, John, Earl of WorceAer, 
^;2j:\ of Northumber- James, Earl of TFiItfiire, 

John, Vifcount Beaumont^ 
Earl of Devonjhire, James^ Lord Berkeley, 

R 3 Edward^ 



atfi The 'Parliamentary H i s T o f. t 

lOf Hetf} VI. £fftciir(^ Lord Gray, of Thsmas, hori CSffir^ I 
~ Greby, /fc«r?, Vifcount Swnil'™ 

Edmund, Lord Gray, of Edward, Lord £f»*ft 0(l 

RuthUiy Cibham, r 

J?fi«-r, Lord Hungirferd John, Lord 7d»<i( of/jj*f 

ftnior, 'f/nmai. Lord Sm/«i. t 

JJaZ/iA, Lord Grayjhd-, Reginald, Lord ffr^? * 
/jSfflry i'w;', Lord Peiit- Mltont 

ings, John, Lord Stmm, 

IViliiam, LoTd Satlreaux, Richard fVoidviU, W 
Thomas, Lord Dacreif of Rivers^ 

Gilfland, H^dliam Bourcbiir, W* 

VtfAffl, Lord Biaiichamp, Fit%vjarreny 

jamei. Lord ^i/rf/ify, IVUUam, Lord flmflWr 

i!fl/;i«, Lord Crm-well, Henry Bramfeet, !*■ 
jyUliam^ Lord Zmfi, of /-'i^;', 

Harringivorlh, Thcmas, Lord R«f, 

y^iw, Lord^crw^, of Ma' Rebert, Lord Hung4'^*i 

Jbam, of Malins, 

JViUiam, Lord Fitzhugh, Ralph, Lord 5«//ffi " 
Henry, Lord Siroep, of Sudley, 

Ballon, ' Thomas, Lord Gri?, < 

Leonard Lord /^fZ/f i, Richmond, ^ 

7i!(fff, Lord Cliriiin, Wiliiam Beaiickamp, I** »C 

/-f^Z/wm, Lord iwe/, S/. ^^wanif, J^' 

Mdward Nniikf Lord S^r- Thomas Percy, Lord ^ '"*' 

gavetiny, tnont, 

Rsbtrt, Lord WiUoughby, John Sttiun, Lord iJuJ^ 
/:f^//;<7M />ff«, Lord % and 5m/ (^). 

Thefe great Men, wilh the PreSates, Clergy"* 
Commons, being aflembled Ncvember bih before!'' 
King, fitting in his Chair of Stale, in the PamI 
Chamber at Wefimhtjler, John Ksmpe Cardinal, 
■ bifhop of York and Chancellor of England, by 
King's Command, declared, ' That this Parliament 

* (railed to provide for the Defence of the Realnii 

* fafe keeping of the Sras, :ind [o make ProvLSon 

* an Army agaioft the French ; but, particularly. 
' '^Pl 

(r] BenJuthcfe Dukn, Eirli aJ 
■bout Fauriecn Kniebn, &c. to atti 



0/ E N G L A N D. 265 

fuppreffing of Infurreftions at Home ' To which lUni Htnry vr. 
Cnd, he deiired the Commons lo chufc, and prefent 
heir Speaker, as ufual. 

But, according to the Record, it was not till the 
19th oi Ncvember, that the Commons prefented Sir 55,^115^^014- 
William Oldhall, Knight, to be their Spealcer, who was hiU choftn 
allowed, with the ufual Proieftation. Spnkec, 

The firft Thing, we iind, that this Parliament went 
upon, was to devife feveral Orders and Regulations 
about altering the Manner of colledting and paying 
the Subfidy granted by the laft Parliament ; tho' what 
Regulations ihey were, are not mentioned in tho 
Abrjdgtment, 

Nor is any thing elfe given us from the Record. 
except a Complaint and Appeal for a Murder, tho' this 
Seflion lafted above a Month j when, on the 17th of 
December, the Chancellor, in the Preience of the King 
and the three Eftatcs, prorogued the Parliament to the 
fame Place, on the zoth Day of Jajiuary following. 
And, again, on the 29th Day of Jprit, it was, alfo, 
prorogued to the iiftli of May next cnfuing. 

The firft Thing that we find, now, in this third 
Seflion, is a Grant to the King of 20,000/. out of 
ihe Cuftoms of Lmdin and Southampton, by hundred 
Pound Payments, to relieve his immediate Wants and , 

Poverty- Befides, in Confideration of4ooo/. deliveKl 
to the King, in Mm, by fome Gtnsefe Merchants 
there nameJ, ii»was enacted, ' That they Ihall be al- a Monopoly 

* lowed to (hip any Staple Ware out of the South ofB'»nterf,inor4er 
^England, until Ihey be anfwered ihe faid Sum.'"'"'''^'""''' 
Alfo, it was enaftcd, * That certain Merchants of the 

' South fliall have all the Aikm aforcfait), on advancing 

* to the King in Hand 8000 A and that no Man be 

* allowed to bring, buy or fell any other Alkm, for 

* the Space of two Years, on Pain of forfeiting the 

* fame,' This was a ftraiige Monopdy, and fliewfd 
the preifitig Occafions of the King and State, for Mo- 
ney at that rime. 

A very extraordinary Petition of ilic Commons was The CsmnoDs 
prefented to the King, importing no kfs than the Re- dfrTfethc Hcmo- 
moval of moil, or all his Court, from him. For it ^1"' "*"" "'''" 
was defucd, that Edmund Duke of Stmer/et, Alice 
R 4 Poole, 



_ Kine't Ser»ii 






W 164 The Tarliamentaty H i s t 1 

I Hioi Heuy VI. PsiU laic Wife oHf^iUiarn Peck bte DuU d 

B ' ;^///am Biftiop o[ Ch^er(f), Sir John Suttm' 

B Baron of buJky, Wmam Danitl hie of Iwiiiab 

H JahnJrtviliari and Eiword Grimjloni of LwJmii 

V Thmas Kemp, Clerk of the Comtnons ; iup 

■ Abbot of St. /*i?//r's in iheCounty of G<lw<?!iri' 

■ ma Pulfsrd of iflBi/M, Efqi John Hatnpm^ K 

■ J^«er;, JthnBkciwelL John Penenit^^mi 
K rufl, Stepben Slcgg, ^I'mas Statey, Them 
H Efqulres ; the Lord HaDings, Kr Edmoad ^fiMftj 
H Sir fhewas Stanley, Knights i Jenih. di SlMg, 
^^^^^ Ufticr of the King's Chamber, Barthai. Hawi/ftl 
^^^^^ Ballhrp, Efqis. Sir Edmund Hampton, Sir i2«^lll 
^^^^H field, KntE. Mr. Gervafe Deberre, one of [heS 
^^^^V Secpetaries, Mr. Jahi Soinerfstf and Mr. JAhl 
^^^^ ^jr{ of the Ifle of lyight^ ' be banifhed froB 

* King's Prefence during their Lives, and not »o 

* within twelve Miles of the Court, becaufe lb! 

* pje fpokc evil of them.' 
iGng'imiU The King's Anfwer to this Petition,' was, '' 
"■ * as to himfelf. he was well contented, ilul 

* fliould go, unlefs they were Lords, and a fcw< 

* whom he could not well fpare from about Wl 
' fon, and (b to continue abfent for one Ycar,l 
' if any Man could truly hy any Thing I 

* Charge.' 
Whether this lad Petition was made in onJer u 

the Claraours of the People of IQig, is'i. who 
■iTKrw'tnder '^^" "'' '" ^^^^ ""'^^'' ^^^ Condud of Jack Cti 
jjtk'cade" " know iiot. But, a very fevere A6t was ptAJ 
Scflion againft that Rebel ; whereby he was attmot 
Treafon, all his Lands, Tenements, £ji"i. given! 
King, and his Blood corrupted (g). » 

But tho' our Records arc fomewhat f)lent, a 
Complaints of the Commons, under Cadei 
is not fo, but haih given us the Contents of tw« 
which, it is faid, they exhibited to the Houfel^ I) 

(/; The Biflmpriclc of CMrr. as It now »ani', was Onl* c 
Ili-ryVUI. bguhe BiiliDpj of Lircifii/d ,ni CpmbM, wm 
ftiletl Billiops 01 CttJIcr. Thii Man w«s onf Ifii/iam Ss«itt, 
lh( neii >.'«!■ lo the See of r«-i. hi^ Htyi'iF^BiEccA 

(g) Sw. at Lergc. 23 Henry VI. C«p. I. ' 




0/ E N G L A N D. 

'aa,f,dXff^_flmi'tfter, that they might have their Con- g, 
currence with ihem in the Reformatiow they were "^ 
btinging atwut in the Govemnwnt, 

{h) The firft they called The Cemft/ainti of the Cm- The high De- 
mwi ff^ Kent, aud the Caufts ^ their aJJiiuMing at man<is of ihe 
Blackheaih- In it they reprefented to ihs Parliament, R'=''='^' 
' That it was reported that Kint fliouid be depopulated 
' ind made a Forreft, to revenge the Duke of Su^i'i 
' Death, iho' the People of that Country were no way 
' guilty of it. That the King had given the Revenues 
' of the Crown to his Favourites, and relblved to live 
' on Taxes railed on his Subjeds, which would impo- 
' verilh his People. That Lords of the Royal Blood 
' were excluded from hie Government, and ftielti Per- 
' fons preferred, who would not adminifter Jultice 

* without Bribes and Gifts. That the provifions oF 
' the King's Houfe were taken of the Subjefts, anfl 
' not paid for, to the undoing of many. That the 
' King's menial Servants falfely accufeJ many of HSgh- 
' Tteafon, in order to get their Eltlles. That the 
' Kiivg's Servants by uujuft Claims of Feoffments, 
' have deprived divers of the Commons of their E- 
' {lates and Rights. That certain Traitors who have 
' loft the King's Territories in Frsicc, fliould ba pu- 
' niihed without Mefcy, That the Sheriffs and Un- 
' der-Sheriffs of Counties, farming their Offices ;ind 
' Bailiwicks, are forced to extort unjuft Fines from 
' the People to pay the Sums. That the Officers of 
' the Court of Duver in K/nl, vex and arreft Men, in 
' all Pans of the Country, upon untrue Amicus, and 
' require great Fees of them for their Deliverance. 
' That the Freedom of ElfiiJlion for Knighls of the 
' Shires h.ith ijeen taken from the People by the great 
' Men, who fend Letters to thi:ir Teiinnts and Dcpen- 
' dants to chufe fuch Men as the People approve not 
' of. That Colledors of the King's Taxes beins 
' made, for Bribe?, by the Knights of the Shire, nlc 
' many Extottioni to raife them. And, laftly, that 
' the SelHons being held ;n the fartheft Part of the 
' County, Eaftward, the People were forced to go five 

* Days Journey to them, to their great Trouble and 

* Damage j 

(ij Sam. Dji/V; by Kitixa, P, 403, 



pUnH 



266 The Parliamentary itrsTORY 

HtnrjVl.* Damage ; which ihey defire might be fetUed inn 

' Places more conveniently.' 

The orher Paper they ftiled. The Re^ejli <f I 
grtat Affemblj in Kent ; and, in this, they humbly f 
tit^oncd, 'That the King would afiume to himfelfi 
' Dcincihes of the Crown, that he might live co 

* formablc to his Royal Dignity. That the Dukti 

* SttffbUt'i Kindred ftioiild be punifhed, according toll 

S' Laws of the Realm ; and the Lords of the Bloa 
• Royal, viz. the Dukes of York, Exeter, Batiii^i 
* and Norfolk^ be taken into Favour, and eotiul li 
* with the Government, and that then he wouHl n 
• the happieft and richeft Prince in Chri/iendem. Til t 
* all PciioQS guilty of the Duke of Glecefier's Dal c 
' be punithed as falfc Traitors to tlie King and ReiLi ^ 
* and the rather, becaufe by their Means, the Dul« I 
' Exeter, ihe Cardinal of fVini^eJier, and the Doli 
' Prince the Duke of IVarwi^i, wiih many other Lon ) 
' and GenilemcQ, and al! the King's CounlrieJ id 
• France hzve been loll. Laftly, that all ExtortitM, 
' ufed daily among the common People, viz. GnA 
' H'ax, Ktpg's-Beuch, and King's Pourveyari andS 
' tutti of Labaurers be fo tegukted, by the King 
' his Council, that they may not be fuch an intolN 
' Burthen to the Commons of England.' 
Thefe Complaims of Grievances, taV. having I 
fi'en and perufed, as well by ihe Lords nnd " 
in Parliament aflemblcd, as by the King^ Co* 
were not only, fays our Hiftorian, condemned and' 
approved, but the Authors of them voted pmi i 
prefumpiaeus R^'jels, mt to be gratified v/ilh fmrf 
tnifes, but fupprejfei by Farce if Arms. But SDOl 
Hiftorian fays, more juftly, as feems probjWe bf 
Abftraft from the Record?, that it does not appetf 
Complaints of thefe People were rejefted by ParliiDH 
only that the Council condemned them j asthey 
have done, had they been more reafonable, 
the Melbtri of preferring them (i), 

However.il was not long after, that Jock Cadi sni 
BrtUt "* '"^" ^"°l'ower3 were put to Flight by ihe ICbg's Army, 
(■/■; HociiKoiHiAD-iCir!,. p. 634. 



©/■ E N G L A N D. i&y 



r 

I Aeir Leader flain, having had a Price fet on his Head King Henry ri. 

I by Proclamation (*)- 

I This fmall Commotion, in Comparifon to what 
followed, being fettled, and the War with ¥rami-^\\- FinherAttempt! 
tiidy ended ; for all A^aitain, which had been in the y^JJ!' ''^^ °^ 
Bngli/b Hands near 300 Years, being yeilded up ; there 
was nothing left to coniend for The Duke of Terkt 
who was then in Ireland, htiring of the bad Succcfs 
of his firft Attempt, came over to confull with his 
Ftiends in England what Game they were nexi ro play. 
Thechief Supporters of hia Pariy, venjehn AlatV' 
bray Duke of Nsrfolk, Richard Ncvit Earl of SaHJburyf 
with the Lord Richard Nn/il his Son ; who was after- 
wards the famous Earl of t-yarwici, by the Mar- 
da^ of the Lady Anne Beauchump; Thtmas Caurlney, 
Eatl of Devon, and Edward Brooke, Lord Ccbham j 
all of them Perfons of great Auihority, numerous At- 
tendants and dating Valour. 'I'hefe Noblemen,- with 
many 

(*1 [n the fuhlic A3t \s a Licence fmm Ihe King to one Jibn iHif- 
iddfn, and three of bii Scnants, to rsttj an ■ Piuceft, in Alchemy, 
Tar Ihe Tnnlinuuuon ot Metals, or 10 jind out the Phiioropher't Stone. 
I Thcie are no Idi thin ihice Idccncr^ heroic, ia thii Reiga, to dificrcnt 
People, for tbit Piece of Folly, ot Kiuver/, wHicb vnt IKIt carried on 
I Co much |reit«r Lcngthi in Jaler Reignt. This Cnnt ii raedfied, at the 
End, to be done by the Kinp. vii'b ihc .lndsn'iy >f Parliamia, which 
(hewt the Ignotance and Cicdulity of that Age. fad. jiig. Tom. XI. 
Pag. J09. 

But, in another Licence granted to ysbx Fautrbj, Jsbn Kytitf, and 
Jsba Rajay, about four Years after, thii Myftety is fcrther eiplainsd in 
liiefe Wordi ; 

Cm a-<tiixi f^fl>«i> S fam-fi^mi Fiihfitbi, if, fm, Uripti, © ti- 
irii, fit Fip.rU & hicrmncnri; Jtcterim & nlingumaa, ix Fin, a 
I^fiittt prfny!i, IX OUii, ex f'miaiilfiui, rx ^eimiliha, ex MaaHii. 
& tx mt£ii Minrralih,, m.lm McJmVai gbricfv & wHetiki mifci 



£arm PbibfifbtrMm MaOrm, it 



i Gtoriam inElHnubiletn E 
Eflentilni, aliii Lapidem Philofcphotmn & Elii.r Viti noKBpaviT-m [ 
a^ Miiicinx Virtui im efficax & admraiilit txifiirti, find ptr lam 
fiV«n;« Infimilala arahilis mrarattar faciliirr, *7t* fawns adfiiitm 
frangfotmr Tcrmiy,„m, & Htms in SanUjte & Virihti naturatihMt, lax 
Cerptrii ifiiam Animir, Fortisuiiia MinAnrum, Mniaria Claritait, & 
, ad andcm Tefmlmaa mrabilila 



i,utV,naar«», fwit Gmma & opima MMm, fid ad 
imedtTf Kiti's &f Rcifnilicit Regti mJiTi ulilijjima, fir can- 




a68 The Tarluiwentary Ht story 

KiBg Heniy VI, many otliers of lefler note, hiA divers Meeiings about 

i felting the preat Machine in Monoti ; and the old To- 

^h pic of reireQing Grievances in the Government, was 

^■*_ thought to be ihc mod plaufihle Way to begin the 

^^^^.^.^ Quarrel. Accordingly, a Letter of Remonftrance was 

^^^^^^' Wrote by the Dulce of Ti^k to the King, fhewing the 

^^^^^H Male- Adminiftration of the Minitlt)', poiniingout fome 

^^^^^^ Ways to redrefB them, by imprifoning and bringing to 

Tryal the chief Offenders, particularly the Duke of 

Somerfct. The King rerurned a raitd Anfwer to this 

He talfes an At- ^^'^ ' ^^^ ^^^^ f.ot fa Hs lying the Du 1(6, he haftned 

giy, mVi fVaks, railed an ArmVi and encamped with ihem 

(on Burnt'htatb, nestr D/trrfttd, within ten or twdre 
Miiis q( Lmdutt. The Miniftry had, alio, UkeTl 
fome care of themfdves, fcy tallingForces, which, tm- 
i der the King's Command, were encamped on Black- 

f heathy fome few Miles dilhnt from the other. 

Ht:n)-j had no mind to Come to a Battle, being al- 
way&fparing of his Subjeifls Blood, and iherefote fent 
Meflengtra to the Duite to iinow his Rcafons for com- 
ing thus armed againft him. The Duke's A nfwer wa« 
Accommodation to the fame Pufport as his Letter ; the BifhoiK and 
Utwrcn liinund £,or(]s who Were fent by [he King, hada CommilTpon 
iheKing. to grant any reafonable Terms of Accommodation j 

ihey, therefore, ailiired him, that the Duke of Ssmer- 
ffi fhould immediately beciap'd up in i'rlibn;on which 
he inftanlly difmifled his Army. Nay, he is faidro 
have taken an Oath, fome Time afier, in St. Paufi 
Church, before the King and all his NobJes, never to 

Ptake Arms again, or diltotb King Henry m thePoflel^an 
ot the Crown. 
In this Intsrval. when ihe Sore was thinly (kinned 
over, which was likely lo break out more vioiently af- 
terward', a Parliament was calted to meet at iJco^in^, 
by Writs dated at fF^JlmiiiJIer \he 2oih Day ofJaHueryt 
for an Appear.nnce at the Placf aforeftid on the 6th 
Day of March following; Richard li\.\l.Q of Icr-f and 
AnnoReeni %i. BdmundV>',\\is oi Somerfet being the lirft Pcrfons named 

H51- en the Lift. 
AtRei*ii)K. ^j jj,g [jgy appointed they all met in the great 

Chamber or Refectory, within the Abby of Reading, 
when 




0/ E N G L A N D. 26p 

vhen (I) If'Jliam, B fhop of L « s.'w, in tlie Abfcnce Ki''!"«^ VI. 
KSJubn Archbi(hnpoi"C(i«;i''-i«<y, Clwnccllorof Eng- 
Uud, very notably, accfr>..iTij lo our Authority, de- 
clared the Cnufe of the P'Jiamcntj chiefly, for the 
good Government of the Reilm, and fafe Defence of 
the fame; to which £n<l he hirj ihe Commons clioofe 
thdt Spcnlccr, and prefcnt him .is ufual. And the next 
Day, after the Receivers ?.nd Tryers of Petitions, ac- 
C(s£ng to antient Cuftom were appointed, the Com- Thomu Thorpe 
moMprefcnted to the King thcmai Tharpe, Efq; to ^'^'v*'*^''' 
betbetr Speaker, who, with the common Protcftation *** "' 
Vtt allowed. 

• Thefirft Thing they wen' up.in in this SefGon, was the 
Sui^y; when the Comm'ins granted to the KiD^,one 
^tKtbmAoiaFifietnth; likewifc, Tonnageand Poun- 
ds d'jring his Life. The Commons, alfo, granted 
to the King, for the fiimc Term, iheSubfiJy on 
Wools J that 1523;. '41/. for every S'jck of Denizens, j^ syti;j,^ 
*od s /. from Aliens, and fo for oiher Staple-ware in pro- 
fordon. Likewife, they gave the King of every Mer- 
chant, not born within the Realm, and no Denizen, 
Aid keeping Houfe, 401. and ofevery fuchMsrchant, as 
ftall remain within tl^e Realm but fix Weeks, 20 s. per 
^nmim. And of every Merchant alien, being no De- 
nizen, 131. 41/. Ytirly, during the King's Life. 

After this, the Spenker c::inc before the King, and 
^Ifcclared that the Commons had vo'ed zc,ono Archers, 
for the Kins'? Service, for the Term ofhalfn Year. 
And, March the 18th, when ihefe Money Bills were 
•tafled, and Thanks for them given to the Lords by 
^e King himfelf; John, Cardial, Archhifliop, andTi.ePar'nTiTn! 
Chuicellor, by ihe King's Command, prorogued iheP"^"'V 
^filament from the Day and Town aforcfaid, to the ' '"''"* 
tothof April then embing, i^lP'eJlmhiJier. 

Bdng met again, the King diTchargcd !he Commons 

if 7000 Archers, par: of the lO.ooo granted him lall 

G.-.lion:;. 

■,Ar.B(i I4t5 i to irhom 
ke Lawdry, whojjed^n i^^ij and WH fuccccdci] h^ 
JWn CWworjfc, the Stmt Vat. It Nf-.-c' t Fa,'/ £it. Aug. Thst'a 
Baft be frme MLftiks therefore, either in th't Authar, o- i.i llie Rec<iiLt. 
nDmialc'i Summ.nstjParliimint the Wiititdirefl^i y. I^j'J'--j^ 
'ja»ia, fa thii Mcelini. - ' 



170 J'/-'^ 'Parliamentary H i s T o r r 

KinsHfiiij vi.SelTions. And, a due Proportion was fettled, for every 
particular County in the Realm, wliat they would 
bear towards the Support of 13,000 Men for his Ma- 
jcfty's Service. But, in Conlideration of a confidera- 
ble Sum of Money, to be levied by the Commons, tW". 
King was content to rcfpite the raifing the faid 13,000 ' 
Archers } unlefs, upon great NecelTity, or being oblige^ 
to go in Perfon to the Wars, he be furc'd lo takeiheni-. 

It was ordained that Edmund Duke of Somtrfit^ lati}' 
Captain of Cis/fl/V, (hall be paid 21,648/. 10/. out of 
the Cuftom of the SiapJe Wares going out of the Port 1 
of Sandzvuh, for Fees and Wages due to him and 
other chief Captains and Soldiers, whilft he was Go- 
vernor there. Alfo, a particular Rate was madeout 
oFthe Grantofa ff/^^flfi, to certain Perfons in every 
County in England^ allotted to the repairing of Calais, 
and for making a Rife-bank there. Likewife, an Al- 
lotment of ae;, out of the Subfidy for every Sack of 
Wool, was allowed towards the Wages and Viflualling 
of Soldiers in the Garrifon at Calais. 

The Commons farther grant unto the King the Moi- 
ety of one 7enth and one Fifteenth, for which the 
King thought proper to return ihem Thanks s and af- 
ter tliefe Words, viz. We thank yeu fer your Grams, 
fur the which be pu affured, we will te a gsed and gracim 
Lotdunttyou; the LordChancellor.on thefccondDay 
oijuly, prorogued the Parliament again \o Reading, 
to tfie feventh Day of Afc^mi^T- following. And, at 
Reading, on the fame Day, we find that the Parliament 
was adjourned from thence to the eleventh of February 
next, at Weffminfler. But en that Day, John Earl 
aiWorcefler, andTreafurer of Englaud^h-j the King's 
Letters Patents, made another Ihort Prorogation of 
three Days, to the fourteenth of the faid Month al 
JVeflmijfler. 

On which Day being again afTcmbled to doBufi- 
n£.'3, Riikard\^\i}(.s(iiYork, by the King's Letters" 
tents, was appointed Prefident in the faid Parliament f ; 

On the fame Day, a very remarkable Cafe came 
fore tills Parliament. The Commons teprefenled 



To 

H And 

The 
Diih 

L 




0/ E N G L A N D. a?! 

King and Lords, thii Thomas Thrpt, their Speaker, KlnjHemj VI. 
md^/Uam Rail, a Member of their Houfe, were both 
I inprilbned ; (hey therefore requefted, that the faid 
I Members might he fet ac Libcriy, according to the 
Privileges ot their Houfe. 

The next Day, the Duke of y'ari ftood up in the 
Houfe of Loids, and acquainted their Lordlhips, 
' Tbit he had received Damages in an Aftionof Tref- 
' prii againft the fa'.d Thorpy laft Term, by a Verdifl HliComplMiit 
' in tiie .King's Exchequer forc.irrying away the Goods tht'sM»k«^a 
' of the faid Duke of Tart, out of Durham- Hsufe; Trefpah. 
' fortbe which lie remained in Execution, and prayed 
' that he might continue there.' 

The Advice of all the Judges being taken in this Mat- 
ter, they made Anfwer, ' That it was not their Part to 
' judge of the Parliament's Aflions, who were Judges 
' of the Law themfelves; only, they faid, that a 
' General SupiTjtdcas of the Parliament there was not, 
' but a Special there was ; in which Cafe of Sptcial Sii- 
' pirfedtiii, every Member of the Houfe of Commons 
'ought to enjoy the fame; unlefs it be in Cafes of 
I • Treafon, Felony, Surety of the Peace, or for a Con- 
' demnation before the Parliament.' 

• After which Anfwer being given, the Lords came 
to this Reiolution, * That the faid Thomas Thorpe 
* (houlJ remain in Executbn, notwithftanding his Pri- 
' vilege.' And, fentaCommitiee of iheirown Houfe Ths Commom 
lo the Commons, to require tliem, on the King's '^''"''= ^" Thn- 
Beh.ilf, to chule a new Speaker. Accordingly, a Com- ^nj^S"''™"'' 
mittec of the Commons were fent to the Lords to ac- 
quainlthcm that they had newly choten, in the Place 
o( Thomas Thorpe, Sir Thomas Charlton, Knight, for 
theirSpcikeri lo which the Chancellor anfwered, that 
the Kingapprovedofhira, and willed them to proceed 
effeflually. 

About this Time, King Henry feU dangeroufiy fick 
at Clarendon, and happy had it been for him, if he had 
then ended hia Days ; his Sickiiefs continued a long 
Time, but, at iaft, he was perfeftly recovered of it. 
The Joy at Court, on this Occafion, was augmented 
by the Btrih of a young'Piincc, Qusen Ahrgaret hav- 
JBg 1)660 ddivereu of him this Year, who was chriftncd by 
the 



KemPt by whole Death tbty lay in the H 
fal. The fecond, to know whether c4 
there named, to be of the Privy Council, 
able to him, or not. On the asth of A 
Commiltee reporteJ to the whole Houfe. 
' had hczn to wait upon the King at ff^ 

* tct three Icveral Repairs thiiher, and earr 

* lions to fpeak with the King, they c 
» meana have Anfwer, or Token of Ai 
' only toM the King was Sick.' 

And whercis the Lords, on the 27lh of 
:il>poinied the Duke of York to be Prttti 
fender of the Realm, fo long as the fameifil 
King, the faid Duke thereupon required fl 
the Lord? lo the Articles following. fl 

L ' That it be enafled, that the ftM 
' takeu;!on him the faid Office, by the p; 
' poiniment of the Lords, and noi of his ( 
' or Defire.* 

AnfvJtr, ' The like Articles {hall be tn 
' as W3S made during the King's Minority. 

n. ' Tiuc aU the Lords will afiift tl 
« his Office.' 

Anfwtr^ ' [t is agreed by all lawful mi 

II I, * To prefcribe the Power thereby f 
' faid Duke.' 

Anfiutr, ' He Hiall be Chief of the Co 
' teflor and_Defender.^ which imnties 



p 



0/ E N G L A N D. zy^ 

Anfwer^ • Precedents fliall be fearcheJ, and the Duke '^"""'^'' 
conferred witha! about it, after which an Aft fhall be 
made tofeKle it.' 

Then ihc King's Letters Patents were read in the 
fioufej appointing the laid Duke to be his chief Coun- 
fellor. Protestor and Defender of this Realm, during 
tbc King's Pleafuic ; or, unto fuch Time as Edward 
tbePrioce (hall come to Age of DiJcreiion (b). Which 
mat Office ihcDuke, in full Parliaaient, look upon 
nimto perform. Hence it appears, f.tys a late Hiftorl- 
an, that it was believed the King's Indifpofiiion would 
Uft 38 long as he lived, and that it 3fFe.aed his Under- 
' ftanding morethan his Body. In the next Place, adds 
he, by referving this Office, for a Child of fix Months 
old, who was to exercife il when at Age, l he Parlia- 
ment (hewed their Intention, to preferve entire the 
Rights of tlie Houfe of Lamajhr, though the Duke of 
Yirk was declared Proteftoi. Other Letters Patents 
Were read, which were made to Edwaidihs young 
Prince, as in Jnne i. Heary VI. wiih the Yedrly Fee 
of 1000 Marks, onlyi beGdes Allowances for learn- 
ing to ride and fuch other Exercifes ; provided the 
feme be no ways prejudicial to any Grant made to 
Margaret Qyeen of England. Again, 

The King, by bis Letters Patents, crealeth his Son 
£dward?imct of JFalis.wA Earl of Chifler, >o him ^I^^JnEF^w 
and to his.Heirs,Kingsof£«^/fi«rf, withthe Revenues w,ie," gf" 
thereunto belonging; which were conSrmed by the 
Hands of all theLoids, anJ by the Commons in Par- 
liament. 

By the fame Authority the King granted to bis 
^^^KTi Margaret^ theSum of looo A Yearly, for her 
Life, out of the Cuftoms and Siiblidy of Wools in the ■* ''™''T ''''"'^ 
I*ort of Smtkampson; befides fundry Manors and """^ '^"''' 
Hereditaments in the Counties of Narthampton, South- 
bamptsn, and Oxfordjliiriy which were, alfo, coniirm- 
cd to her by Parliament. 

The further mifcclhneous Proceedings of this 
Vol. II. S Parliament 

(r) This InArunient a, M-, in the PkMlc JSi, and mother inime- 
4Uu^ following it ror (onBituling Kdn-jri tkt younE Hiinte, Iho' then 
Carce ktn Moniht old, PrDIcclar, &c. wbca he Oiall arrive at Van of 
UletcdoB. They are both of the (ime OtXe, vix. Afrit id, bui tlie 
*rft il &id to be done by Authority of Parlbtnem, whith tlie other ii 
■PC, ^ieJ. Ani. Tom. XI, P. 346, 347. 



A 74 The parliamentary H i s T d r r 

King Henry VI, Parliament were, that Richard Earl of Salhbury^ 

Earl of Sbrnujburjy John Earl of WorafiiU 
Earl of W'tltjhire^ and the Lord Stourim^ Were 
cd to keep the Sea; to whom was allotted the 
Years Tonnage and Poundage granted by the^ 
Parliament. And Jprit 15th, it was agreed, ihat 
wards the Support of the Expence of the Lords; ' 
faid, there (hould be a Loan made from certaii 
and Towns, there named, of particular Sums, artll 
were to be anfwercd for the fame out of certain' 
totns and Subfidies. 

In this Parliament TlJtfw/?/ Courtney^ Earl of 
was accufed of Treafoh, and acquitted of the 
by his Peers; Humphry Dukt of Buckinghatt- 
High Steward for the Time being. But, 
Duke of Yerk judged the Honefty of the ftki 
be touched, the faid Earl madel a public 
of his Loyalty before the Houfe, arid referred 
Tryal of it,- as a Knight fliould do ; On which'.the- 
wholly acquitted him, as a loyal Siibjefl:. : '- 

The King by his Letters Patents, publicUy 
this Parliament, acknowledged Edmond of /ft 
and Jafper of Hatfield^iht Sons of Queen Katl 
Vroil^Six^^^^^ to be his lawful Half- Brothers and F 

Earls withPrc- The King, alfo, created the faid Edmond^ Earl rf^ 
ccdcncy, mond '^ and that in Parliament, and elfewhcrV 

{houUi have Preheminence above all Earls. The 
like wife, granted to the faid Edmondy and to the I 
Male of his Body, lawfully begotten, tbewhoieC 
ty. Honour, and Dominion of Richmond^ with aS^ 
Hereditamems and Appurtenances, with Warrantl] 
the accuftomed Services. Likewife, by Aflentrfr 
liament, the King granted to the faid Earl of AV 
in Tail-general, the Manor o^ fVorefdale^ vn"^ 
Appurtenances,'in the Counties of Lancafler^ Jftf 
land and Tori^ late belonging to John Duke of B< 
to hold only by Fealty, with certain Provifions * 
The King, alfo, by other Letters Patents, 
Jafper of Hatfield, Earl of Pembroke^ v/ith the 
minence to take Place above all Earl?, next unW 
elder Brother Edmonds and gave him, likewifc; 
whole County, Honour and Dominion of ft' 
us above. In both which Creations and Grants' 



Cy E N G L A N D. 173 

r 

:(wnProvifoes, or Exceptions, and boththefe Let- King Henry VL 
'■- Patents were confirmed by Parliament. 
Elie Commons required the Lords to call to mind 
^Hazard that the Town of Calais was then in, and 
(e keeping of the Sea, and that the Subfidy grant- 
Jgjtit be really employed to that Purpofe. They, 
defired the Lords to excufe them, from granting 
tjber Subfidies ; finally, they required, that a grave, 
[|e Council, (hould be elbblifhed, to anfwer all 
bxis, tir^ which was promifed. 
was ordained, that the Mayor, Conftable and Fel- 
^pf the Merchants of the Staple at Calais^ (hall 
io,ooo Marks out of the Subfidy of Wools there, 
Suoithey lent towards the Payment of theSoN 
"Vaijes in that Place. The faid Mayor and Mer- 
niade feveral Demands befides, which are not 
I; to which they had Anfwers given them. But, 
' Duke of Torij being appointed Captain, or 
nor ofCalais, and requiring Satisfaftion in 13 Ar- 
;■ or Demands, concerning ready Payment, and 
proper Supplies for keeping the fame, could ob- 
_di Anfwer to them, 

\,0illidm Oldbally Knight, who was Speaker in the 
"filament, was, alfo, attainted of Treafon for 
' concerned in Cade's Rebellion, and a Writ of 
twry againft "him, was confirmed by Parliament. 
_ ijcreas Robert Poynings of S<w^rizftfri Efq; being 
Kr, Sword-bearer and chief A6tor with Jack 
Pj^had his Pardon, upon which he, with certain 
s by Recognizance, was bound in the Chancery 
I. good Behaviour ; fince which Time, he had 
iittcd many Riors, particularly, in raifing and 
.with' Men armed in Kent^ againft the Law ; 
ttt it was ordained, that an Extent, upon the 
ecognizance, (hall go againfl: the faid Poynings^ 
Sureties, and him, and their Lands and Goods, 
{hall conclude the Adls of this Parliament, with 
Account of a Statute made on a private Affair, 
jplaint was made by Henry Beaumont^ Elb; Son 
sir to Sir Henry Beaumont Knight, and Charles 
Efo; againft Edward Lancajler of Skpton in 
r, Elq; for taking away Dame Joan Beaumont^ 

S a ' late 





it'omft^ infixed U A/ tc/4n,^ by Statute ^t 
It has been faid, tfet .the W^ wii 
How £n(Jcd, the Civil Diflentiop?, hcj 
Houfes of Tori and Lancqfler^ began ip 
the Crown ; ihp* hitherto M.atteijr? hjk 
gn both Siue3 with Moderaxiop, t^ae 
^»avi,r^ yex, not openly, jna<j[e their CI 
gality, neither in Parliament nor put ; b 
an Arfljy, u^der Pretence of rcformip 
.Government. * The Titie this Fan 

* Crown, faysanHiftorian.(^), was vej 

* ing to the Law of the Land 3 Rtchi 

* Duke, being Great-Grandfon of Liofii 
' ufue^MQv Brother to John of Gdtffit, 

* £a/iery by whom the three Hj^nrvf ckf i 

* to the Crown. But flinry VI. tho 
' not fo f^ir and clear, yet, jagt be|n 

* himfclf, but fucceeding upon t^e V 

* Fatlier and Grandfather, two very 
< and he being of kno\yn Gocjdnefs i 

* long kept Pofleffion of lU Therel 

* grea^ ^rt, Cunning and Force, in xhi 
^ to wreft the Diadem frpw him/ 

Mpft .of oi^r Hiftorians relate, t^af the 
fit w?s ^ccufod pf Treafon, in tjie laft P 
ing been arrefte.d fome Time before, an 
IP tJ)fi Tower (^). How ftr this l^fl 



Of ENGLAND. 277 

fte ttae, is uncertain 5 but the former is apparently Ki„^Haiiyvk 

B^'Im the Pro(?eeding8 of that Parliament given be- 
is feid further, * That the Queen, who was- 
tta&ve Som^rfety as his Enemies todeftroy 
ad fo' contrived Matters, that nothing fhould 
iii0 i^inft him ; for the King, being fomewhat 
^ood from' his Ulneis, and come well to his Senfes, 
ifed him, tho' very weak, to be carried to the 
Sy and there to diflblve the I arliamentj (o 
niching was determined in the Matter.' It is 
»tetafuppofe that the careful MrUiger of the 
itf Rccordsy would have overlooked this 
iiJce;. and^ therefore, fmce he has taken- 
of it,^we may well fuppofe it as erroneo .s as 
Initeadof that, Edmond Dukcot 5?w^r- 
^IM f&xasA Ferfonv on the Lift of the Peers, 
to this Parliament ; and he was ordered to 
a vtrj large Sum, due to him, for Fees^i 
tfk. whilft he was Governor of CalaiSy by 
\t of both Houiesi 

0eit8in|p however, that the Duke of Tork, find- 
OGAild not gel Somerfet removed from the King's, 
the Queen's, Protedlion, which probably tie 
ibrry for, rais'd another Army and encamped 
:neal: St. Albanf. The King and his Courtiers 
ready to- oppofe him,-, and a Battle was fought 
It Town, A^y2>}j Anno 1455, in which the 
Ws»viaorious; and the Duke of ^omerjet^ the IJ^^^^^Xan 
of Northumberland and Stafford^ John Lord Clif- Arm/j and takes 
with many others^ Perfons of Note, and about ttc King Priiba- 
imon Mttiy were flain ; and what rendred this*^* 
more compleat, the King himfelf was taken 
—J 

n EHike of Yorky and the Lords his Confederates, 
the King with them to St. ManSy and paid 

S 3 him 

has given us the Arti«Ies,. which. He fays, the Dake cf Tork 
'agfrinft tJie Dulee of Sornerfet in> Parliamsnt ^ but tUey are veiy 
d iilfigaificanc. thfan. P. 393. 

ttttiftniments in the Public Acfs^ we find, that the Dukes of 
^^i' Simerfit were bouncf to each other in the Sum of 20,000 
H^4^fefer their Differences to the Arbitration of the Archbi/hop 
mttkmyy and fsvev other BiOiopc tod Koblemeay there named. 
Mug. Tom. XI. P. |iSs, 363. 




178 The 'Parliameatary History 

IKint Heorj VI. him all ihe Honour and Reverence due to his Dignilj'. 
They befought him, on their Knees, to forgive iheAc-" 
tion of ihiiDiy, and accept them for his loyal Sub- 
jefts. For now ihe Duke of Somirfet, the common 
Enemy of the Nation, and the Caufe of this Commo- 
tion, being dead, he, and all his A'^herents, would re- 
' main, during their Lives, his faithful and obedient Sub- 

jedts ; and that he fljould find, that the Deflrjdhon of 
Ssmerfet was his own Prefervation. 
With fuch anful Speeches they amufed the poor 
King, who feemed well faiisfied with their Aftions. 
After which the confederate Lords fpent their IVhitfvn- 
tide together at Lsndon ; where it was refolved to call 1 
Parliament, to fettle and compofc Things for the ge- 
neral Good of the Nation. Writs were accordingly 
iliued out for fummoninga Parliament, dated May 26, 
at If^eUiiiinJIir, to meet at the fame Place on the 9ih 
Day of ^uly following. It is to be noted, that no 
Peers of either Side of the Queftion were omitted in the 
Summons ; th-s Lilt being conformable to the Ia8, 
except in the Names of the Peers flain in the laQ 
BatileC?). 
ABnoRtgnl 33. Qmt Abridgir ef the Ricordsh^im his Account of this 
At WeViiniicf P-''fI'2rncnt in ihu Manner; ' In the Prefence of the 
' ' King, lilting in his Chair of Eftate, and of the 
' Lords and Commons, 'thcmiii[r) Archbifhop of Cd*- 

• Uriury and Chancellor of England, declared the Caufe 

* of the Parliament, and look for his Theme, We. 
< Oshir Report there ii fisne. Wherefore the Chancel- 
' lor willed the Commons to chufe their Speaker, and 
' the ne\t Djy to prefent him to the King. And fit- 
' iher ihewed to them, that the King's Pleafurc was, 
' that all Eftates (hould enjoy their Libcnies,' 

It was not till the next Day of the Seffion, that the 
Chancellor caufed certain Articles to be read before the 
Houfes co'itaining the Caufe of the Summons, which 
were divided as follows : 

Firft, to take Order for the Expenccs of the King'a 

Houdiold. For the due Piiyment of the Garrifon 

at Calais, and the Matches there. To piovide for 

keeping' 

(j) Duodale'i S-mnen! It Farliefml, Anno Rcpni jj. 
(r) tbma! Hmnbicr. Le Niv i'j Fofii £«. A'g. 



« 

^ 



0/ E N G L A N D. a/p 

keeping the Seas againft any Invafion of the F/rnch j Kbg Henry vi- 
.ii- particularly, to guard againft the Scots, who had be- 
fieged Berwick, notwithfcanding the Truce. To ap- 
point how and what Time the 13,000 Archers, granted 

laft Parliament, fhould be employed. To procure 

a perfect Accord and Unity amongft the Lords.-— 
To reftrain the carrying out of Gold and Silver Coin. 

* To provide for better keeping of the Seas. — - 

To take Precaution that the Peace may be kept in 
fTales. — —To every one of which Articles, a Com- 
mittee of certain Bifliops and Lords wene, levtrally, 
appointed. 

The Day after, the Commons prefented Sir John 
Wenloct to the King, as their Speaker ; who, with the ^^^^^^ 
ufual Ceremony, was allowed. The fame Day a loilg Speaker!^ 
Conveyance, or Charter, made by the King, whereby 
he acquitteth Richard Duke of Yhk^ "Richard Earl of 
fParwicky and Richard Earl of Salijburyy of any dif- 
loyal Pra(5lices, arid taketh them to be his good and 
feithfiil Subjefts, was read and confirmed by Parlia- 
ment. In which it is remarked, that Edmund late 
Duke of Sbmerfetj Thomas Thorp (s)j:zr\d If^ltiam 
Tofiph Efqrs. by their falfe Dealings, had caufed the 
fcng to think the contrary of thefe Lords, and raife a 
great Power againft the Duke and them. 

Then fome Letters were read, wrote by the Duke 
of Toritj and fent to the Archbifhop of Ctf«/#rtery, Chan- 
cellor of England, dated from Royfton, in May laft, 
concerning his coming with an armed Force to meet 
the King, in order to redrefs the Grievances he had 
complained of : One of thefe was alfo figned by the . 
Earls and Lords that accompanied him, and exprefled 
their great Obeyfance and Submiffion to his Majefty. 
But, thefe Letters, it feems, were kept from the King's 
Knowledge, by the Duke of Somerfet, and others, until 
fuch Time as the faid Duke of Tork^ k^c. met with 
the King at St. Albans, laft May, in order to have ipoke 
with him ; but that the Duke of Somerfet, atid others, 
did refift ihem with a great Number of armed Men, 

S 4 in 

(s) 'Thorpe was a Baron of the Exchequer ; and Jofeph is called by 
iit(/ufe, for what RealiMX wc know not, the King's CoUaterAl Companiofi^ 

Stowx*( G&roff. P. 400« 



aSo The Tarliamentary H i s t o r t 

King Henty VI. in which Conflici ihc faid Duke of Somer/ei was flain. 
Laftly, it was urged, that ihe Duke of Terk and his I 
AlJic!, waired on his Majt^fty very civilly, and made 1 
iheir humble Obeyfance lo him after the Batile. ] 

Ui«n which ihe Duke of York, and ail his Accom- I 
The Dute of p'ices, wcrc acquitted of coming with him to the fud I 
York «id hij Conflia or Balile, and of any Harm done at it. This I 
ti^d^Uin^r was confirmed by the King, and the general Confent 
of boih ihe Houfes, and ordered to be enrulled, Jalj 
13, in the 33d Year of his Reign. All ihc Bilhops 
and Lords wer-; Iwom to be true to the King, in open 
Parliament, tho' none of iheir Names are, as ufual, 
entered upon the Record. The fame Order was taken 
for all other Lords thai IhoulJ come to Parliament, to 
take the like Oaths. 

At the Rcqueft of the E.ir!s of Sali/hury, Shriwlhury, 
and JVareefter, and of the Lord Stourtm, who were 
made Guardians of the Seas, by the laft Parliament, 
they were difcharged from that OiEce. And, Jalf ji, 
the Archbiihop of Canterbury, as Chancellor, in the 
King's Prcfence prorogued the Parliament from, the 
fame Day and Place (o the I2ih Day oE Nevtmber en- 
fuing, at JVcJlminlhr ; after a general Pardon bad 
been granted by the King, and confirmed by theii Au- 
thority, for alt Trealbns, Felonies, Contempts, Tref- 
pailcs, i^c. . 

This is a pretty long Prorogation -, and as to what 
Was done in the Interval, Hiftory being iilcrt, we may 
conclude, that every Thing fttU continued in a ieemiti " 
amicable Way. At the Timci appointed, the l 
Houfes met again ; but here, it feems, the King 1 
ablent. Cor his Lijiiers Palena were read the fitli D 
conftitutinj Richard Diike of J«ri 10 piefide in I 
Scffijn ; which Cotnmiflion was read publickly, £ 
before the Lords, and next before the Commons (() 



Navn 



(i) The PreaDdil« to thii InnruiDcnl: u 



i^ndume Dii Nov 



daodccimam DlPtB N,'V' 



u ultimt prJUritan jii PahdmiK m 



fc»/«,„ g,rJm,mfi»,h'.-£. K>- f^fim 



0/ ENGLAND. 



281 



Jfavfmbir 13th, a Member of the Hoafeof Com- KingHonr vi, '^ 
mons, whom the Mriiiger of thi Record! calls, oniy, 
by the fingle Name of Bm-!ey, with others, were ap- 
pointed a Committee from that Body, lo go to iho 
Lords, and require that the Duke of York^ and the 
Lords, might move the King to appoint an able Pro- 
testor and Defender of [he Realm, finee ht weufd not 
hlmfelf, attend the piiblkk Scvke, and that the Com- 
mons might &e made acquainted with his Peifon and 
Charafler. 

The next Day the faid Barley^ and others of ihe 
CbnuRons, came again before the Lords and renewed 
thdr Suit about the Proteftorfhip ; as they did the 
Day after. Upon this, the Lords held a Corrfultatioit 
on the Affair, when it w^is refolved, that the Dokeof 
7>(f was the moft worthy for the Office 1 and there- 
fore a Requeft was made to the faid Duke by tlie whole 
Houfe, that he would take upon him the faid Protcc- 
torfliip, according to the Precedents ufed before on the 
like Occafion ; the Duke cxcufed himfelf from accept- 
ing the Office, but defired Refpite to confider of it. 

This Conliderjtion took up but 2 very little Time ; 
for, the next Day, Bwky and the reft coming, as be- 
fore, to the Lords, again repeated their Defire. To 
which the Lord Chancellor arfwered, that the King, 
•with the Aflent of the Lohts, had rcqucfted the Duke 
of Tsrk to be Pr&tcmr and Defender of the Realm, 
The Duke accepted of it, and niide the lame Protefts- Thf iXilce agiia 
tion and Demand, as he did in the Uft Parliament, and apiwmted I'lu. 
had Ihe fame Anfwer. And, afier the feid Duke had ''■'''"■ 
had fomc Conference with :i Cnmraiitee of the Peers, 
a^ipoinfed for thai Purpofe, it was agreed, ihat he 
(houlii have, yearly, fowards his Charges four thoafand 
Marks. Only, he delired tltit it might be tecoided, he 
fought not [his Honour liimlelf, bar had it laid upon 
him by them (a). 

But 

Awi'i EteTum, fife. 

DaIBi A'™, 11, Ami R,rm 1+. F*ri. A«g. Tcm. XL P. 3,-'0. 

(aj Ths freinble tu [)ia Unoiinuilan a AiU mure remark^tile th» 
the lor«>r. 



2^2 The Tarliamentary History 

King Henry VI. But this great Power, we fuppofe, was thought Vbo 
dangerous, to remain long in the Duke's PolTeffion ; for 
a fmall Time after, before this Parliament broke up, 
the King came in Perfon to the Houfe \ ^ud, as well 
by his Letters Patents, in the Nature of a Writ direded 
to Richard Duke of Torky as by the whole Confent of 
But Axm re- the faid Parliament, revoked and repealed the Power 
MovU • of Protestor and Defender, and chief Counfellor, be- 
fore committed to the faid Duke/.v). And, alt the 
fame time the King committed the whole Eftate, Af- 
fairs, and Governance of the Realm, to the Jjovis 
of his Council. Only, for Matters concerning hb 
Perfon, they were not to proceed without making him 
privy to it. 

In this Parliament, the King, by feveral Letters 
Patents, confirmed to his young Son, Edward Prince 
of fVales^ and his Heirs, Kings of England^ his Crea- 
tion of the Principality and Earldom of Cbejfer^ with all 
the particular Dominions and Hereditaments belonging 
to the faid Honours. And, as it is recited, becaufe the 
faid Prince, the King's fir ft- born Son, on the Day of his 
Birth is, and ought to be Duke of Cornwall the King de- 
livered up the fame to him, and all other Hereditaments 

belonging 

irtento nojiro exijhem nobis fapius btttnittime fuppUcaverit & inftanter per- 
fuaferit, ob reprimendas JnJoUntias , Rebellianes, Murdra & Riotas qtut 
iraUs divcrjis cjufdem Regni Partibus atttmptantur (sf committuntury & <A 
bonum publicum T'uitionemque ejuj'dcm Regni ac Pads nojlra^ nee non Tran* 
^uilitatis Subditorum nojirorum Confervationem, inclinare fif confentire ve» 
iimus Perfonam aUquatn pctentem 6^ idoneum P rot zc tow. zm 6f De- 
fkhsorfm jR^fw" «o/?r/ pi:-adi£ti conjiituere &f ordinare, cujus Sapientia 
& Induftridy Potentia ©* yuvamine, Regni Negotia melius^ tutius & fe- 
licius dirigi & expedite valeant j 

Nos, Petitionem Communitatis pr^diSia contemplanfes, Infirmitateque^ 
qua altiifimo Salvatori noftro Ferfonam noflram vifitare placuit^ Irope- 
dimcntum prxflante quo minus ad a^ualem Executionem Prote^ionis 
& Defenfiohis Regni nuftri praedi£li & Ecdefiap Angticana inteodere pof* 
iunus» & ii plurimis vexaremur Negotiis^ celerique Sanitati recQperandiac 
Obftaculum to ret, confiierata. 

De Circumfpe£lione & Indujiria carijfimi Confanguinei no/hi Ricatdi, ' 
Duds Eborunty &c. 

A Claufe.is added, that this Grant ihall be void^ as Toon as Edivard 
his Son (hall arrive at Years of Difcretion. Dated at IVeJitmnJUr, Nov^- 
29* By Authority of Parliament. 

Feed, Ang, Tom. XI. Pag. 369, 370* 

(x) This Inftrument is dated Feb. 25. Under it, 

Per ipjum kegem & Conjiliui^ in ParUatnentd* Ibid. P. 371. 



0/ E N G L A N D. 183 

belonging to (hat Dukedom. Alfo, it was ordained, King Henry VJ 
that the faid Prince fhall be at Dier, and live in the 
King's Court unto ihe Age of fourteen Years ; for [he 
vhich Diet, the King Ihall yearly take all the Reve- 
nues and Profits of the faid Principality, Earldom, and 
Dulchy of the faid Prince, until the fiid Prince come 
to the Age of fourteen Years. Allowing yearly, to- 
wards hia Wanlrobe and Servants Wages iO,ooo/. unto 
ihe Age of eight Years ; and from that to fourteen 
Years 10,000 Marks yearly, wiih feveral other Provi- 
lions there exprelied, which were all confirmed by Par- 
liament (y). 

At the Requeft of the Mayor and Company of the 
Staple at Calais, Sir Jnhn Cheyney Knt. Vidualler of 
that Town, who by ihe Appointment of the Council 
had delivered to the faid Mayor and Company certain 
of their Obligations, to the Sum of 1000 Marks, which 
they lent the faid Sir Jibn, by ConlenE of Parliament, 
■was acquitted of the lame. 

The King ibr 10,000/. borrowed of the Merchants 
of the Staple, by the Aflent of Parliament, granted to 
ihem tlie Repayment of the fame, out of the Ciiftoms 
and Paffage-Dues in the Ports of Sandwich and South- 
hampton. 

A particular Allotment of 393*/. igj. ^\d. out 
of divers of the King'j Revenues, Cuftoms and Fee- 
Farms, is allowed, yearly, towards the Charges of ihe 
King's Houlhold, 

A general Ad of Refumpiion of all Lands, Offices, 
and Fees, i^c. from the firft t)ay of thii King's Reign, 
was paffed, with (everal Provilions made therein. 

And, afier all this Bufinefs w:(S trinfafled, Tbsmns 
Archbifliop of Canterbwy and Chancellor o( England, 
by the Appointment of the Duke of Tork, the King's 
Commiffioner, in the Prefcnte of the Lords and Com- 
^.Soons, prorogued the Parliament from tiiat Day, De- 
^-~ amber 



t< 



if) NotwIthOiiDdine thcfe Rcyal Donaiioni, tllftnrliina IHck n 
IJ, that he wi! not fu much ai Ihi Qurea'i bon, tul changed i 
CnuUe. Vax An't Chtn. Anao 145] 

Hdli-ingihiad irritn, tbst it ivaa the Opini"!) of the cai 
People, perrhance uniml]'. r«|ri ^'1 ^^ ^ l^i '"" "^^ ■^^ < 

Child. Cbnm. P. 641. 



L 



i84 Ths Tariiameittaty HidTOAr 

_ Kiiif aetTf VI. ctmler 14, to the ifth of January next eafuiag, gtf' 

^ IfeJfmlNjfer. 

^H Bu; tho' we hear no more of a Meeting of ttui^ 

^^ Parliament, yet it is necefiarj' to learn what Hill6riapf '. 

^K have collcfted reUtirg 10 ihc Proceedings of if, that 

^H^ the Reader, by comparing them wiih tlic lorEgoing Ac- 

^^^L count, froiit the Records, may better come atlhe 

^^^^^H Source of the Milchiefs, which ibon after kiTolTsd dl 
^^^^^B England in Blood ?nd Ruin. 

^^^^^H f[is faid that this Pdrtiamcni met on the D17 appoint' 
^^^^^^M ed, July, 9th, in order, kideed, to fettle TtimgS ac 
^ cording 10 the Will of the conquering Lords, (mi «adBr 

^H a Pretence of doing all for the public Good (z]L Sdiik 

^P few Afls Were made, more for the Colour of jufttce ' 

ihin the common Safety. Onewas, ' ThaiScrvanW 

* of Perfom lately deceafed, who have embezzled thelf 

* Matter's Goods before the Executors can enter upon 

* them, ifthey are found guilty, fhali be attainted of 
' Felony. That whereas the Officers of the Exchequer 

* were guilty of great Extonion in cxadting Fees of the 
' People, ii was ftinted what Fees (hould be taken by 

* them in the fcveral Caufes, there tried and adjadgudi' 
' That there fhould be but iix common Attorneyaito 
' the County of Ns'folk, (ix in Suffolk, and BwoiO' 
' Nsrxrhh; beciufeit.was found by Experience that the 
' Multitude of Attorneys in thofe Counties ftirred.ui» 

* and procured manv frjiisat Law, for fmairTrepaffes, 

* little Offences and fmull Debts [«)•' Thcfe Aits*ere 
paifed and publiOied, to lei Peoplfe fee what a Reforma- 
tion they might expefl, if the popular Lords had the 
Kule. Hut, [adds our Auihoritj') they ferved but» 
as a curious Prologue to what followed, and waschiefly, 
intended, viz, the following Votes and Rclblutions $■ 

' Firft, That the Government, as it was manage* 
" by the Queen, Duke of S-^mirfie, and ibeir Fri^di 

* had been of laie a great Injustice and Opporeffioa l» 

* the People. 
* That the King, who was himfdf a pious and good 

* Prince 




Oy E N G L A N D. 185 

Prince, bad been abufed by thofe who counfelled and King Henry vu 
' ^yifed bini, to bis great Difhonour. 

• That the Dufce of Glocefter , whofe Memory had 
been ftained with a C%arge of Treafon and Rebellion 
fince hi3 Death, was a true and faithful Subjeft bo(h 

to the King and Realm. 

• That all manner of Alienations and Gifts of the 
RevenuiBS and Lands of the Crown, whether made by 
the Klipj; himfelf, or Parliament, from theiirft Year of 
hib J^igOs fhould be revoked, and the faid Lands 
and Revenues refumed and taken into the King's 
Hands {b). 

• That no Perfon, or Perfons, fliould judge or rqx)rt 
that the Duke of Tork^ with the Earls of Salisbury 
and Warwick^ were guilty of Rebellion or Treafon, 
io coming againft the King in a warlike Manner 
to St. Albans t fince the A£tion was neceilary, and 
taken in Hand to free the King from Captivity, and 
bring Peace and Safety to the Nation ; but all the 
filame was to be laid on the Duke of Somerfet^ Lord 
Chief Baron Thrpe and TVilliam Jofeph^ Efq; wljo out 
of a malicious and evil Defign, kept a Letter fent by 
the Lords from the King's Knowledge 5 which, if it 
bad been delivered to the King's Majefty, would have 
taken away the Caufe of thefe Diforders {c). 

By thefe Votes and Adls, fadds our Authority^ they 
made Way for the Refolution, which was the main 
Drift of all ; by which it was appointed, that the Duke 
of Thriy fliould be Proteclor of the Realm, and the Earl 
pf Salifiury Lord Chancellor, and the Earl of fVarwick 
Governor of Calais and the Territories thereunto be- 
longing. So that all Authority, Ci^il and Military, 

was 

{b) HdUngfiiMdy P. 644. Mapim P. 5S0. 

\c) Tht PDrport of the Letter wu this t That m fiuthfiil and humbk 
Subje^by they required only that it would pleafe the lUngi whofe Hqnoufy 
Healthi Surety and Prefervation, they chiefly wiHied, not to give Credit to 
tbeb Adverfaries malicious Suggrftions, till their coming tohis Prefence | 
ivito which they humbly befuygbt him> that they might be admitted as 
his ^ithful Liege People, to (hew the Intent and Purpofe of their com« 
ing ; which was to no other End than to declare their Fidelity and Al- 
legtance towards his moil Royal Perfon ; intending to put themfelvei with 
flduch Piligence and Labour, to pio^re him as much Honour, HcaJth, 
•a4 Saiefiuard ai «ny Subjeft living, 

HAlL*sa'r6ff. P. 644« 



I 



285 The Parliamentary H i s T o r t 

7VI. wasina inantier, put inlo the Hand, of the Confetfc 
rate Lords, who imdea kinJ of a Triumvirate, a 
i/rt'ji had only hii Title of King, without anyoiii 
Power. Under ihis Eftablifhmeni, the Lords w( 
verycjieful toadmtnifterjuftice impartially ; to an 
Delays of Suits, and lo punifti Bribery ; in orda" 
ingratiate themfelves with the People. 

AnHillcrian remarks, that they had no mindtoi 
ftroy the King, left they fhould, fuddenly, pr( 
iheFury ofthe common People againft them ; am_. 
which funple Sort, adds he, for his Holinefsof L 
and abundant Clemency, he was much favouiEd 11 
e (teemed [d). 

Thus far our Hifloriansi whofe Account, if coi 
pared with the Records, is fomewhat contradiftoi 
tho' the main Syftem of this Demi-Revolution, feei 
to be fpi in a true Light. But, this exalted Power, 
fnaiched as it was, continued on iis Bafis, but fcf 
fmaH Time, for the Queen foon found Means to on 
tuin it. Notwithftanding the Lofs of the Duke 
Smerfet, and others, in the Battle at St. A'banS, A 
had then leveral Very eminent Lords in her Intoefi 
and, being a Lady of a mafculine Spint, (he wasn 
afraid to undcrtakeany Thing to keep up iheDigoityi 
her Hulband's Crown. It is prob.ible, that (he caufedtl 
King to revoke the Grant of the Protedtoi{hip to ll 
Duke of Tmi, in the lafl Scffion of Parliament, befti 
it was prorogued; as it is particularly mentioned I 
the Records, tho' all our Hiftoiians are filent 1 
that, anj, only fay, ihit the Duke and the EsrI I 
Salisjhury were dilphced from their great Offices, t 
an exprefs Otder, under the Great Seal, fomc Tin 
aficr trie Parliament broke up (e). 

It is not in th« Compals of ihefe Enquiries to trace d 
Beginning, or Progrcfs, of thefs inteftine Trouble 
any further than the Parliament of England wasct. 
cemed in them ; Ibme necefinry Ccnrcdticns beii^ I 
lowed. The Queen and her P^ny being again leto 
. cd to the Government, kept Iheir Ground forJoD 



(/) HtS-! CbnK. FdI. CLXtX. 

(i) It was dane by Aft of gemral Council, "lltd for thatpwd 



0/ E N G L A N D. 187 

Time; tho' the difconlented Lords watched all Op- ^E Henry vi, 

portunities to diilodge them. Some Tumults and 

Skirmilhea happened betwixt the two Paiiies, and 

another general BatUe was dreaded ; io prevent 

■which, the pious King and his Biftiops interfered, and 

Terms of Accommodation were offered to reconcile 

ibem. A grand Meeting of the Heads of both Parties An Apecmaw 

appeared at tendon, with numerous Retinues of armed t'twcpn the 

Followers (f); and there, Sword -in -Hand, as it were, a ^^ae'ttoi^^ 

feeming Reconcibtion was eiiedted, the Terms of rats Lords, 

which are conained in eight Articles. Which Award, 

or 'Agreement, was fealed with the Great Seal, in the 

King's Palace at Wejimhifiery March 24, 1458, and 

the thirty fixth of his ReignC^j, 

And, on the Day of Publication, a folemn ProcefEon 
was made to St. P/iuts Church ; the King in his Royal 
Robes, and the Duke of yiri leading the Queen, before 
whom matched the Duk.e of Ssmer/ct, and the Earl of 
Salisbury, the Duke of Exeter, and the Earl of Jifdr- 
wiik, with the reft of the Lords, thus coupled, at- 
tending [h). 

Afiaita continued in a peaceable Manner, after this, 
but a very (horc Time; for the fame Year, a Fray 
happening near the King's Palace at Weftminfier, be- 
tween a Servant of the Kmg's and feme of the Earl of 
Warxvick'i, the Qi^iarrel run fo high, that, many join- 
ing on each Side, the Earl himfelf had like to have been 
flain, who came to appeafe it. The Earl taking this 
as a Delign of the Queen's, to murder him, and (earing 
worfe might hsppen, hehailned down to Tork, where 
meeting the Duke and his Father, they ioon concerted 
Meafures together to begin a new Commotion. 

The Civil War was, again, entered into with great But the Qui^d 
Brifknefs on both Sides; but Fortune did not favour fMn tenew'd. 
• the Duke of York and his Party in this fecond Attempt ; 
for when the two Armies were come fo near that a Bat- 
tle 

(f) Fabiaa has left u, an ActounI how and where, the Lords of both 
Parties were ludged in the City and Subuibi. Th«t fome hid 600 armtd 
Men, Tome goo, and none \eSs than 400, in their Kstinue). So that ihs 
Mayor was obliged to keep a flrung and diligent Wjtch, Night and Day, 
to prevent Tumults. Cbran. jine 1458. 

(g) See the Forai of this Award in thlli'gjbiad, P. 647. and the oiher 



l4 



CUtd 



%lHoUl^'Sjheid, P. »4t. 



a88 Tlse Tarliamentary History 

' KnEHenrjVi. tie wwexpefled, the King's Proclamation of a gene- 
ral Pardon, forpaftOffcnces, caufed moftof the Duke's 
Followers to ihrow down their Artiu, and accept 
it ; and their Leaders were forced lo fly into difFeieuC 
Ceuntries for Protedlion. 
_. jf. Henry having thus got a Viflory, without Blood - 

m*t\ea^.^'^ (hed, came toCovtnlrj-, where he had fummoned 2 
Parliamcni to meet on the aoih of hmember by Writs 
dated at Lecminfler^ or Lempjier^ the 9th of Oileier 
foregoing. Itappearsby the Liftofthc Lords, callcdto 
this Farliameni, that it was wholly made up of thofc who 
were Haunch Friends to the Houfe of Lancajftr ; tho' 
the Archbiihops, Bifhops, i?f. were fummoned as 
ufuai (i). 
Amo BeBni js. On the Day of their Meetlug, the King fitting in 
J4to. hisChairof Slate, in ihe Chapter- Hmfi, belonging to 
AtCovcntrj-. ^j^^ Priory of our Lady at Coventry, the Lord* and 
Commoni being, alfo, prefent, JV!Uiam{k), Bifliop 
of IVnchiJlir^ then Chancellor of England^ made a 
notable Declaration, (fays our Authority) why this 
Parliament was called. But gives us no more of it, than 
that he willed the Commons to choofe their Speaker, 
ThpmasTrt- ^"'^ prcfent him the next D.iy to the King. Accord- 
ftjm.Erqicho- ingiy, the Commons prelcnted Ihomas Trejham, Eftji 
toiSpcatt-. whole Excufe being rejedled, with the comtaon Pro- 
leftation, he was allowed, t I 

The firft Thing this Parliament went upon, was tftj 
bring in.and pafsa Bill of Attainder againftAiV^Mn 
The Duke of Duke of Ybi k, and others, his Accomplices. The AJH 
York, 6fr. at- ftrument Is Very long, and contains, amonglt oi&fl 
Matters, the ^ollowing Charges. ^% 

Firft, ' ACommemoration of the King's great CanKi 

* bringing the faid Duke up from a Child ; and the many 

* Kindnclles and Ht^nours, he hid befto*ed upon him. 
' Next, the Confer eralion of the f.id Duke with Jeek 

* Cade, to get himfel/ advanced 10 the Crown. Tlif_ 

* Duke's coming out of Ireln'id with Forces, evm, iaiM 

* to the Kind's Court and Prefence. HisPraStiCMt|#' 

* be Proiettor. His Intent to have railed an Array 
ag.iinft 

il)'OveBAix'iSimmsiiin Fgr/ijmoa, Aiinofi. ttmryVf. Foiij* 
otk thii MtelinB > PBiliimrmiirscrirav Cuuncil. Ch-vn. I^Jg. '' 



\ 



0/ E N G t A' N U 2851 

* againftiheKirigat Dcrt/nrd'm Ksnt. The Duke's King Hentj Vi, 

* Submifljon and Oath to the King in Pauh, after 

* the fame. The Duke's Oath at latge, H)sCon- The Ankles a. 
' federacy with the Earls of U arwuk snASaUibury, ^'Mium. 

' A Rehearfal of the King's fundry Favours and 
' Bcnefita conrerred on the faid two Earls. The 
' King's Pardon grameti to the faid Duke and Earls, 

* and their Promifes of dueObedience, with aRenu- 

* meration of divers Benefits beftowed upon them 
'after. The Ambition ofihefaid Duke and Earis j 

* their new Oaths and Piomiles made to the King ; 

* their Policy in not coming to the Council ; and 
' their Readinefs in getting together from a great 

* Diftancc, The Expedition of the Earl of SaUf- 
' ^u>;j',wiih Thomas audyshnNevilf. Knights, Sons 
' 10 tha faid Eail ; 'ThmasPdriin, Jf^dUah Stanhy, 

* Efqrs. Sons loTbomas \.otd Stanley ; ana Thomas 

* Oritige oiTmgue'ia theCountyollirif, with 500 
' Men and Banners difplaycd at Bkrehcatht on the 
' V^z^ai-il.MalttevjyAnnQRegm-ii. Jan.-eiLord 
' Jadiey (lain at the Battle of Bkrekea'tb, in Staf- 
^ fordjlnre {l\ by the faid Esri ; and John Lord 

* Z>«iJ/<I', with feveral others taken Prifoners. The 
' King's purfuing them for the Space of 30 Days 
' and Nights i the King's Pardon offered to them, 
•and their Refufal. The Aflembly of the faid Duke 
' with Edward Earl of Manh, Richard Earl of 

* Warwick, Richard Earl of Saliihury, Edmutid 
' Earl of Rutland, John Lord Clhm, John Ifin- 

* /sf-f, "James Pickering, John Caniers and Themai 
^ Parr, Knights i JoftH Bsurchier and Edward 
' Bmirchier Efquires, Nephews to the faid Duke ; 

* Thomas Colt oi Lamlon Gentleman, John Clay of 

* Chejhunt in Hertfordjbire, Roger Egirton of _ 

* Shrewsbury, and Robert Bold, Brotherto ^ivcHenry 
' Bold, Efquires } who, with many others, pitched 

* ibeir Field near Ludlow in the County of Here- 
^ ford, on Friday, the Vigil of ihe Tr.inJlation of 

* St. Edward, /nno Rtgiii 38. That the Duke 

* made a Pretence to the Army that the King was 
- Vol. II. T ' dead, 

{!} Near D-^ytax, Sip, 13, i+fij. 



ijjo TheTarliamentary WisroTix 

Kln| Ktmy VJ. ' liead, for who fc Soul Mafs was Oid publictlyic 

* the faid Duke's Camp- The King's E^pe&tbn 

* of the Duke, and the Duke's ranging his Army In 
' Battle Array, fortifying [he Grcund with Oirts, 

* pbcing Guns between [hem ; an Ambufli laid, 
' and his Intention to have luddenly lurprifed tht 
' King's Fotces. The Departure of the laid DuIe 
' and Earls out of ihe Field, about Midnight, unil« 
' Colour to repnfe themfelves at Ludlow j and iheir 

* Flight info IVaUi, becaufe that their Army faint- 

* ed and fubmiited ihemfelvcs to the King, *to, 
' granted them Pardon.' 

Wherefore, for liiefc and many other Caofi) 
the faid Duke, Earls, and others, were attainted'" 
Treafon by Parliament, and voted Traitors m il 
King and Kingdom ; Alice iheWifeo^ Richard^ 
of Sa!-fiury{m\ Sir IViUiam OUhall, Knr. "~ 
Thsmai Vaugharit of London, Efqj wer«, at 
fame time attainted as Traitors, for procuring 
aiding the Treafons aforefaid. And all and lii 
lar Hereditaments, i^c. ofthefaid Duke, and 
Ihcrs, attainted, in Fee or Fee- Tail, were adjwdja 
to he forfeited to the Crown ; and their Har 
difmheriied to the Ninth Generation {n). 

Richard Gray Lord Pmts, Sir Henry RaJfirt 
Knt. and fVullcr Devercux Efq; were pardo* 
their Liven, for being in the Field with the D* 
at LuiiUw ; but their Hereditaments, and ol^ 
Profits, were forfeited as before. ^^ 

It was enabled, ' That all Letters Patents 
' Grams of any Office to any Perfon that w5 
' gninft the King in the Fields of St. M 
' BloTfhenth, and iod'/wt/, (hall be T^>id j and 

* all Grants made by Richard Duke of Ytrk 

* by the Eatis of SaUsburj and ffarwUt to i 
' Perfonf, being in thofe Fields againft the Ki 
' be alfo, void, Bi t that all Gmnts madebr 

* King toPerlons wiih him in the laid Fields il 

* Hand good ; fomeProvifo's excepted.' 



0/ E N G L A N D. 23J1 

At the Requeft of the Haufe of Commons, King Henry vi. 
Walter- Haptsn., Roger Keniflsne, Fuli Stafford, 
Tfilliam Hajiings Son ro Sir Lemard Hq^ings, 
Knj. and Ivillidm Bszves, Efqairea, for being in 
the Field againft the King at LudSmu, paid their 
Fines, and were pnrdoned. At ihe fame time the 
Commons accufed the Lord Sian/ey, in Aindry Par- 
ticulars, of being in Confederacy with the Duke 
of Tcrk J and pray'd, that he may be commiited to 
Prifon. Jnftvir, The King wiJI be advifed. 
I ' After which a very folemn Oath was framed, a rofcmnOarh 
k which all ihe Bifho]>3 and Lords, there named, *^'° *""""?■ 
\piaA take, fubfcribe and feal, on the iith Day of 
\^cember in fuH Parliament. 

J The more private Tranfaftions of this Parlia- 
Bent, on the Record, are thefe ; 

The King, by the Aulhority aforefaid, gave to 
Ihe Queen the Manor of C»f^/ff, with the Appur- 
tenances in JVihs, and 20/. yearly, out of ihe 
Aulnage of Cloth in Lsidon^ in Exchange for the 
Manor of Havsring- Bower in EJJex. 

All fuch Manors and other Hereditaments of ihe 
"Dviichy q\ Lancafler, as arecomprifed in an Article 
made 23 Henry VI. which wiih oiher Hetediw- 
oients of the faid Duichy, were granted to Tho- 
mas Archbifliop of Canlerbttry, and to feveral 0- 
ther Feoifees in Truft, for the Performance of the 
King's laft Wilt, were commanded to pafs under 
the Great Seal, and were confirmed by Parlia- 
ment- 

Edward Prince of Wjht, by his Petiiion, re- 
citeth Ihe Eteflion, Donation and Annexing of 
the Dutchyof Cornwat, with all the Hereditaments 
and Liberties belonging to the fame, granted by 
Parliament 1 and fever.il other Patents granted the 
mh of Edward IIL were alio recited at large i 
whereupon the faid Prince required, that he may 
enjoy the fame accordinoly ; and, amorgft other 
Things, that all fuch Tenants, as hold of the faid 
Dutchy, in chief, may ihetefcre fue Livery out of 
the faid Duke's Hand, although they holiother- 
T ; ways 



25)2 The Parliamentary H i s To ry 

King Henry VI. ways of the King in Chief; and that he may free- 
ly enjoy the faid Dutchy, with all the Revenues 
and Liberties of the fame, as it ought to be, not- 
withftanding a Statute, mzdc Jnno 33 Henry VL 
all which were granted, by common Confent, 
with certain Provifo's and Exceptions, 

The King's Letters Patents were confirmed, by 
this Parliament, to the Provoft and Scholars of the 
College of Eaton y and as well all and Angular 
his Grants, as all other Aden's Grants made to 
■ the faid Provoft and Scholars. The fame Confir- 
mation was made to the Provoft and Scholars of 
Ktng's-CoUege^ Cambridge ; with a Provifion for 
a College called Pembroke- Hall^ in that Univerfity. 
Likewife the Royal Foundation and Donation of 
the Priory of Syon^ eredled by King Henry V. was 
confirmed by the whole Affent of Parliament. 

The Commons exhibited a Complaint againft 
twenty-five Knights and Efquires, by Name, of 
feveral Counties, for their manifold . Robberies, 
Rapes, and Executions; againft which ftrifl Or- 
ders were taken to caufe them to anfwer for the 
fame. 
. It was enifled, * That all Letters Patents made 

* to any Perfon or Perfons, of the OflSces of She^ 

* rifE) or Efcheators for Life, within the Counties 

* of Chejier and Flinty be utterly void ; except 
' certain Perfons there named.' 

A frrangc Adiin L^lUv, and what is Very remarkable, * An Aft 

rogative.^ ^^^^' ' was paflcd, that all fuch Knights gf any County, 

* as were returned to this Parliament by vertue of 

* the King's Letters, without any other Eledion, 

* (hould be valid ; and that no Sheriff', for return- 

* ing them, fhall incur the Penaky of the Statute 

* made Anno 23 Henry VL* 

After all which, on the 25th Day .of December ^ 
fays The Abridgement ^ the Chancellor,. in the Pre- 
fence of the King and the three Eltatcs, and by 
his Majefty's Command, after giving Thanks to 
tlie whole Body, difiblved this Parliiiment. 

Thefc 



0/ E N G L A N D. a^3 

Thefe were the Tranfaftions of this extraordi- l^g Henry vi. 
nary Parliament, extrafted from the Records ; oi " '' 

which our Hiftorians are, almoft, altogether filent ; 
xior is there any Mention of it in the Statutes at 
large J except, that we find an Adt was made, in the 
next, to repeal and abolifti all the Proceedings of 
this Parliament at Coventry, It is very remarkable^ 
however, what one cotemporary Hiftorian hath' 
left us concerning King Henry*^ Condudl on the 
Bill of Attainder j^ he writes, * That when the 
^ Clerk of Parliament had read the Statute to the 

• Lords, the King's Modefty and Love- for Mercy 

• was fo great, that he caufed a Piovlfo to be in- 

• ferted and added to the Bill, That it nrght be 

• lawful to himy at all TimeSj fuJh,\ ivltkout Au* 

• thority of any other Parliament ^ to pardon the [aid 

• Noblemen^ and rejlore them again to their former 

• Eftatesj Degrees^ and Dignities ; if with a Spirit 

• ofHfimiUty^ they came to befeech bis Grace and 

• Favour {o)* 

But, not long after their Rifing, Affairs had a a fecond Battle* 
new Turn ; and the Partizans of the Houfe of 
Tbrk overthrew all the Meafures that had been 
taken ag^inft them. A Battle was fought near 
Northampton', with great Obftinacy on both Sides; 
till at length the Vidlory fell to the young Earl 
of March,, eldeft Son to the Duke of York, who, 
io his Father's Abfence in Ireland, was General 
in Chief. Ten Thoufand of the King's Forces 
-were flain ; amongft whom were thefe Men of 
Note, Humphrey Duke of Buckingham, John Tal* ■ 
iot Earl of Shrewsbury, Thomas Lord Egremotit, 
John Vifcoutit Beaumont and Sir IFiUiam Lacy, 
The Kin^ himfelf was, again, taken Prifoner in The King again 
his Tent ; wbilft the Queen, with the young Prince taken Prifoner. 
Edward her Son,, and the Duke of Somerfet, fled 
as far as tjie Bifhoprick of Durham, before they 
thought themfelvcs fafe from the Purfuers. This 
Battle was fought July 6, 146 1. 

The vidlorious Lords having the King once 

T 3 more 

(•) J. Whethamstiad, Abbot of St. ^1^<jw. 



ap4 The'Parliamentaiy History 

• Xiot Heary Tl.morc in their power, and ruling all Things, aimoft 
at ihcir own Pleafurc, proceeded vigoroufly in 
tbc Execution of ihetr Defigns. To that End, 
they fummoncd a Parliament to meet at If^fjl- 
minfttr, on the 7 ih of OSIfbtr ; the Writs bearing 
Date at ibe fame Place, July the 30th, Anne Rtni 

39- 

There is a Mlftafce of a Year in the Date of 
Dugdak'i Summons to thii Patliatnern, in which 
the Abridgment of the Records is riglit. But then, 
the former has given the Names of all the Sjiiri- 
lual and Temporal Lords, We, whicli are wholly 
omitted in theoihcr; in whidi we remark, that 
the Summons was general ; for all the Peers, 
whicti were !efl alive, of both Parties, were called 
to it, without any Exception. And there b no-, 
thing in the Body of the Writ which is conlrajf 
to the ufual Form ; Ihe firft of ihofe to ihc Lay- 
Lords, was dirc^ed to Rchard Duke of Ytrk at, 
the fame Siile as before [p). 

In the Prefence of the King, fitting in hili 

^°5"''"' Chair of State, in ti-e Painted Cha?>,l>fr,v\x\i\ii. 

At Wtftmikfler. the Palacc at IVtJlminlier, and of the Lords and 
Commons, Gesrge Bifhop of Exeter (f), rfieii 
Chancellor of England, made a notab!e Declara- 
tion, taking for his Thcine, Congregate Pspuium, 
ij" Saniiijicate Ecdefam, Joel 1. At the Cottcln- 
finn of which, the Commons were deCred to 
chuft their Speaker, and prefent hJm to the King. 
The next Day the Commons made a Declaration 
to the Chancellor, that ihey had nude choice of 
a Speaker ; and, on the fourth Day c£ this SefHon, 

IiAnG j,..'liey prefented Jahn Green, Efqj whole Excufe 

chorea Spoker.'' ^^'"S refufed, he was admitted as ufual. 

The lirft Tl.in^; this Parliament iveni upoa, 

was to p.ifs an Aift to repeal the laft, held at 

CevenCry, l^mjember 20;h, Jinm 3S htnry VL and 

that 

(f) R/x cbn'ijjima CctfaFguitn J'uc Ricarto Daa' Etor, ttc 
'DvODALi'i'SiimMan, Annu Regni jB. 

(f ) Cars' K'-Jili, Sod to the E»rl of Salishurj, uhI 
toOw !-jmo<i> f-' -•-"' ' -'— - . . . 



rl of tfiiruuli, titcrvraril traiJUted u TW. 



0/ E N G L A N D. 155 

that all Aifls, Statutes', and Ordinances, made by King Henrj vj. 
the Amhority of the foid Parliament, fhatl be re-,,. 
verfed. For which this Reafon is.airigned,5^faa/^^ [„' '5>^',i°!" 
that Parliament was uniatofuliy fiitpimned, and ri^ mem at Covent;^ 
JOiigf'ti and Burgefes not Duely chrfcn (r). tepnrd. 

The Reader may obferve, by a Paragraph in the 
Account of the laft Parliament, that the King was 
obliged to get theSanftion of ihe Hiiufes to glofa 
over an undue Pnftice, in the Return of Knights 
of theShires for that Parliament, It is probable 
that W-nry's Credit was ihen at fo low an Ebb, 
that he durft not truft the Country, on fuch an 
important Occafion j and therefore, lummoned 
the Knights by Lctiers, exprefsly, from himfelf. 
This unwarrantable Proceeding inuft be the firft, 
that the Duke of Tmi and his Party wou!d take 
hold of, to caffate and annul that terrible Bill of 
Attainder which was carried againft them in that 
Parliament. And, fo effeiaualiy they did it, that 
the A&s and ^jtaiutes of the Parliament at Ccven- 
iry, have no Place nor Menrion in ourStatute- 
Books, except in the Repeal as is faid before [;). 

And now we begin with the firft Time that 
Richard Duke of York made his publick Claim to 
the Crown of England, in the Face of an English 
Parliament. It has been many times hinted atTi,^ p^^^ ^^ 
before, in the Progrcfs of thefe Enquiries, (hat his York's cijim » 
fole Aim i.'ras to gain the Diadem ; notwithftard- ''■e thrown ; ac- 
ing the many fpecious Pretences of railing Ar-R'jfp"^^"' ' " 
mies to reform Grievances, in order to hide his 
real Defign. As this is a Criterion of Time, very 
lemarkable in Englijb Hiftory, and the Duke of 
Jw-i's Claim made valid, or difputed, by Writers 
of different Sentiments i we fliall iirft give what 
Sir Rsbert CeUm hath extracted from the Records j 
T 4 and 



10 39 IJrrn-j VI. Cip. 



ika Proclamaiidn in 



25)6 T7je7arliamcntaryHisro?.r 

KIo[ HemT VI, and next, what our bell Hiftoiuns have left uj 
about i[. 

On ihe 1 6ih Day of O^oier, the Council fo£., 
the Duke of Tori cxhJbiied a Wilting to the Lords- 
in full Parliament, containing the Right ana 
CUim of the laid Duke to the Crown of £b^- 
land, and LoiJfhip of Ireland, The Lords, upon 
fome ConfuUation amongtl tbcmfelves, agreed that, 
it fhould be read, but not to be anfvvered wilbouc 
the King. j 

The Duke, in his Claim, derived he Pedigtce, 
from King Henry the Third to King Edward the, 
Third, and proved himfelf defcended in a rigjtt 
Line from Lionel Duke of Clorfice, third Soti to* 
King Edward the Third, by which he avouchwr 
himfelf the undoubted Heir to. the Crown before; 
any of the Line of yu/'/i ci Gaunt, v/ho was,on!j| 
the fourth Son to the faid King Edward. ^ 

The Ixirds, after a long Confukation tboaghl, 
proper to lay this Claim and Title before the King,; 
who defited them to call the Judges, King's SeT-fj 
jeants, and the Attorney- General, to anfwer the 
fame. Eut they, well confidering the Danpi^ 
in meddling wjth this hith AiFair, utterly rc- 
fufed to be concerned it. Upon which an Orda 
was made, that every Peer might freely and in- 
differently fpeafc his Mind, without Fear and Iny-^ 
peachment. And, in the End, the following Ob- 
jeftioiis were made to the Duke's Clainj. 
^ I. ' The Oaths of all the Lords taken lo tbq 
' King in being, and, p.irticularly the Oath fit 
' the Duke himfelf.' 

II. ' The feveral Aif.g of Parliament nude *• 
' gainft the Title of the faid Duke.' 

III. * Several A£ts of Entail made of the Crown 
' oi England.' 

IV. ' That the Duke, by pretending to (Jra« 

* his Title from Licnel Duke of dareme, fhoulii 

* rather bear his Arms, than thole of Ehrnm 

* Laiighy Duke of YB:k: 



01iic£tiou K 



0/ E N d L A N D. i 07 

Laftly, * That at the Time Henry IV. took King Henry vi. 

* upon Ilim the Crown -of England^ he had the 

* fame, not as Conqucrot, but as right Heir to 
« King /fmry the Third." 

The Anfwer which. Richard Pkntagenetj com- 
monly' called Duke of Tork^ gave to the Objections 
aforefiudi waS:as follows : 

Firft, * That no Oath, being the Law of MaA,^J»c ^^»^^'« An. 

* ougjht to be performed or kept, when the fatiie ^^*^' 

* tendeth to the Suppreffion :of Truth and Right, 
* 'iplrbich* isi againft the Law . of • God.' 

* To the fecond and third, he knoweth «o 6- - 

* thft Afi« 6f Parliament than one, Anno L Hen- 

* t%j lV,:touching a generalTayl by him a Wrong- 

* doer J for if he had any Right to the fame, he 

* neither; needed^ nor would -liave made fuch aa 

* Entna/ 

* To the .fourth, hejuftly.might have born tJle 

* Arma of the Duke of Cknme^ and of England % 

* only he forbore the fame for a Time, as he did 

* -bis Qaim 10 the Crown.' 

* The Fifth, being a manifeft, and an approved 

* Untruth; was only a Cloak to (hadow the violent 

* Ufurpation of Henry of Derby J 

' After this Anfwer of the Duke, to the Objedi- 
ons againft his Title, was read in the Houfe, the 
Lords went upon Ways and Means to compromife . 
Matters, and came to this Refolution, That the 
King /hmld enjoy the Crown ^/'England, during his 
Life ; and that the Duke and hU Heirs Jhouldjuc- 
4eed after him. Which Determination the Chan- 
cellor was appointed to declare to the King. And The Parliament 
the. Duke of York's Pedegree and Title being again ^^^^ ^ '* 
repeated to him, the King confen ted to this Award j o-own, after 
and it was drawn up in Form foilowlng; Henry's Death. 

* Firft, That the King fliould, during his Life, 

* enjoy the. Crown and Preheminence of the 

* Realm of England. 

* That the faid Duke, the Earl of Marchy and 

* Edmund Earl of Rutland^ his Sons, fhould be 

* fworn by no means to fhorten the Days, or impair 

the 




a jjS The 'Parliamentary History 
' the Sovereignty of the laW King, during hi* 

' Life' 

* Thailhefaid Dulce, fbould be from thence- 
' forth reputed, and (tiled, the vcr^ Heir appjreiH' 
* to the Crown afurcfaid, and (halt enjoy theftme' 
' after ihc Deaih, or Reflgnation, of the faid King, 

* That the faid Duke, fhall have Landi anil 
' Hereditaments alloUedtohim of the clear ycsti/ 
' Value of 10,000 Marks; that is, 5000 ftir him- 
' fclf, 3500 for the Earl of Manh^ atrf 1500 
' Marks for the Earl of *K(/tf/;i. 

' That the Compaffing Ihc Death of the fiW ' 
' Diikefli,ill heTreafon. 

' That all the Bifliops and Lords, in full Par- 
' liament, fhall fwear to ihefaid Duke andtohis 
' Heirs, in Form aforefaid. 

' That the faid Duke, snd his two Sons, fl»H 
' fwear to defend the Lords on this Agreement.' 
The King, on his own free Motion, and Con- 
fent of the Lords, aoree^ to all the Ordinances 
aforelaid. And, by the Aflent aforefaid, he ut- 
terly repealed the faid Statute of Entail; made jfe- 
nai,H^niy\Y fa, always as, hereafter, no better 
Title could be proved for the defeating of this Ti- 
tle and Aft. 

After all this, on the Vigil of the Feaft of All 
Sa'nis, the Duke of Tori, and the two Earls, his 
Sons, came inio the P^irliament, before the King 
and Lords; and there both promifed and f wo re, to 
perform the Award aforefsid ; provided, the Kii^, 
on his Part, duly performed the fame ; which the 
King, then, alfo nromifed to do. All which Pro- • 
leftntion the Duke aJid Earls required to be enrolled. 
Then the King, by his Letters I'alents, affigacd 
to the Duke of tori feveral Diftrids aod other 
Hereditaments in IFaUs, and eirewhere, to the 
yeatly Value of 10,000 Marks, as afore&id; in 
which Grant are fnme Proviso's, particularly, for 
the Dutchy of Lancnfler. All this was confirmed 
by the full Coiifent of Parliament ; and, an Aft 
was puhlifhed ' declaring the Duke of i^'k ro be 
' right Heir to the Crown ; by which, alfo, a 
* Power 



0/ E N G L A N D. ijjp 

' Power was given him, to ride thro' the whole King Heniy vi. 
' Kingdom, for fuppreffing of all Rebellions and 
' Infuireflions ; wherein Commandment is given 

* to all Sheriffs, Officers and Suhjefts, to obey 

* him as the King» under fome Reilriiliona.* 
An Affair or two, of lefs Confetjuence, concludes 

_ the Bufinefs of this Seflion in the Records. 

Whereas for fuch Hereditaments, of the Duichy 

I, til Laneajier, which the King had put under Feoffees 

1 ID Truft, to the Ule of his laft Will, there was 
appointed one chief Steward and Chancellor, one 
Receiver- General, an A tiorney- General with Au- 
ditors, with Fees accordingly ; the King ^ Aflent 
of Parliament, revokes all the laid Offices and 
Fees in the faid Granr, fo as all the laid Pre- 
mifles in FeotFmeni (hall be under the Rule and 
Government of fuch Chancellors, and other Of- 
ficers, as were and had the fame, before the (aid 
Fojftment was made. And, it was further en- 
afled, ' That all the Revenues of the Duichy of 
Lantalier, as well of Land and Feoffment, as o- 
therways, fliall be rtceived by the Receiver-Ge- 
neral of the faid Duichy, for two Years, and by 
hhn paid over to the Treafurer of £«|-/jnrf; with 
oUier weighty Affairs of the Realm, wherein are 
contained fome principal Provifionsfor Foreigners, 

\ and Officers of ihe faid Dutchy.* Laftly, 'all the 
Conveyances and Feoffments, inUfe for all the 
Hereditaments, mentioned in the 38 of Henry VI. 
Were rehearfed i and it was enadted that all and 
finguUr the Prcmilies fhal! go only to the Perfor- 
mance of the King's Will, and not oiherwife.' 

Oneonly Ai51, made in this Parliament, is enter- 
ed at lengih in our Statnte-Booki, which is ; 

* That a Woman at fourteen Years of Age, on 

* the Death of her Anceftor, ihall have Livery of 
' ber Land.' Thi' Ad waspafTed, lays Sir Ro^ 
hert Colten , on ihc Petition of John Nevil, Knt. 
and Ifabel his Wjfe, the Daughter and Heir of 
Edmund Goldjlhsrp, Knt. 

Thus far the Records. We ftinll next examine 
how our Hiftori^ns have tre.itcj this important Af- 
fair, 



1 



I 



5 oo The ^erl'iamenfary H i s t o r t 

Kdl Hmy VI- ^^IT of the Succcflioti, which was the greatcft that 

ever came before an Engliji Parliament. Aiid firft, ' 

Mr. Daniel tells iis, that after the vidori-' 

ous Lords, who had now the King in their Power,' 

had caufcd him to call a Parliament, ihey feof 

Mefleneers, with all fpeed, to Jritiind, to inform 

Tilt Dniic'i ^^^ Duke Of York of their Succefj. Ambition»^^jfi 

cUim, 1. reijted nc" AtHhsT, needs no Spurs; the Duke prefenllf 

bj fTiOoruiu. embrirked himfelf and his Retinue at Dublin, land-i 

ed at Chtftcr,zn6 0iiobir ioi\ made hispublici 

Entry irtto London; with Trumpets founding,*. 

naked Sword born before him, a great Train of 

anned Men accompanying him ; and look up 

his .Lodging in the King's own Palace, and in hi»' 

own Apartments, the humble King conientingt 

himfelt with the Queen's Lodgings. 

The Parliament had fat three Days before the'' 
Duke arrived i and he having palled thro' tlic City^ 
in the Manner aforefaid, v^ent directly to fffjl-'-- 
min/itr, into the Houfe of Peers, and placed him-" 
felf on the King's Seat or Throne ; tho' olher(l)\ 
Hiftorians fay, ihat he did not fit down, but onlf] 
took hold of the Cloth of Stale. He flood ai 
while in ihat Polluie, lookii-g upon the Lordtl 
ftedfaftly, as iho' he would read their CounteiM 
anL'cs, their Thoughts, and Refentment of that 
Adlion. At that Inftant, Thomas BourcbieTt^ 
Archbifhop of Canterbury, came from iiwry ii 
to the Houfe, and after making the ufual Revcl 
rence to the Duke heafli'd him, If^hether be watdi^ 
nst go and pay bis Heipeifi! to the King i ^~heDukeip 
at this Queftion, was oblerved to change Colour*! 
and then anrwered him in a Paflion, 77}tit it ijun 
nnfieinthis Kingdom, to whom be ewed that Datf ti 
Haneur ; iul, en the cmirary, all Men ew'd it AJ 
him ; and therefsre Kirg Henry aught te csmt W 
him. 

The Archbifhop, having heard this Replj^.J 
went back to the King to let him know it ; which.' 



(0 Bjo 



B Br.;y VI. P. 172. 



. 0/ E N G L A N D, 301 

the Duke perceiving, he rofe up and followed him King Henry vi. 

into the Palace, got PoflefTion of the King's 

Lockings, breaking open feveral Doors and Locks 

for Entrance. He ftaid there but a little while, 

and then returned to the Houfe again, leaving his 

Servants and chief Attendants to keep them for 

hiin. Being, again, feated on the Royal Throne, 

he boldly made his Demand of the Crown and 

the r^al Authority of England^ in a Speech for 

that Purpofe. 

. HaUj in his Chronicle, hath given us a 
Speech, which he fays the Duke of Tork fpoke 
from the Throne, in the Houfe of Peers, when 
he made his Claim to the Crown at that Time. 
But, the Subftance and Language of it, is fo very 
mean, that it does not deferve our Notice, 
not even as it is altered by Mr. Daniel j efpecially, 
when the Claim, hath been much better made out 
by the Record itfelf. Livy is faid to be very remark- 
able for putting fine Speeches into the Mouths of^ 
his Heroes and Senators; but the Non-fcnfc, ancl 
Stupidity of this makes it impoflible to come from 
any Body but the Hiftorian himfelf («). Befides, 
John Wethamflead^ Abbot of St. Albans^ a Cotem- 
porary, and probably, by his Station, in the Houfe 
of Peers at that Time, makes no mention of any 
fuch Speech, in the Hiftory he wrote of this Reign ; 
aiid, particularly, of this Revolution (.v). 

The 

(«) Asan Inftance, in tlie fiift Paragraph of it, is thi^ remark- 
able Expreffion and Metaphor, Ti>/5 mhU Realnit and our natural 
Countty, Jball never be unbuckled /row her daily Fever, except I, 
as the principal Phyiician, and you, as the true and tnifly Apothe- 
carief, conjult together in making of a Potion, and try out the clean 
and pure otuff, from the corrupt and put rifcd Drugs, 

Hall's Chron, hoi. C.LXXVII. 
See Hoilingjbead, alTo, P. 655. 
(x) The UiAory of Crtylandy near Cotemporary with thefc Times, 
fetms to fay that the Duke of 7'ork did mnke Iiis Claim in the 
Houfe, by Word of Mouth ; Accedcns ad Thronum Regis, Sedem 
illam vendicavit tanquam Juam^ defcribens Gcnealcgiam J'uam linc' 
mUter, &c. HisT. Croylano Comtxn. 550. 

The 



5 o 1 The ^Parlicimmtary History 
lUpg fltmy VI. The Vrenih Jefuit, indeed, has put a Speech 
into the Duke's Mouth, on this Ocafion, not un- 
wonhy either of the Speaker or the Authtr^ fat 
fuch we fuppofe him to be ; which, flnce it caaia 
within the Compnfs of our Defign, well defervet' 
a Place in thcfe Enquiries. 

It was f'jppofed by the Parliament, fays that 
Hiftoriati, that the Duke would now take off the 
Matk; but they were perfeilly convinced of 
it, by an open Declaration, which be himftlf 
made to them, the iirlt Time he entered the Houfe: 
For, being fcated on the Throne, without afking, 
Leave of any one, he fpolce as follows; (y) 

leu all kncnu very will, fiys he^ that tbf^ 
throne wherisn I Jit hath been ufm-ped from ngr; 
„. - . ArKeJliirs; and yea (annul be ignorant ^ by what 

^C° """ ^"'""' ''"fi. ^*« ^"'^ '■' M ^'"'y *'^'"'^. ^^ ^ 

Pojfegian of it. Henry the fourth imbrued Hi 
Hands in the Blood sf'R.\chaTd tie fecond i andHea' 
ry the fifth deflreyed my Father. Bui, we wi3 

Jpare the Remembrance of ihffe Things^ whcb ««■ 
onlyftrvtto jiir up a BreaJ},dijpafed te take that VtnA 
geance whiih I will facrifct to the Public G%i^ 
IVhiljl the Hoift of Lancafter &d no other Hurt^ 
tut to me and mine, I thought myfelf well retompi-^^ 
id hy the Honour which aicruedto the N'aiiexi 

fubduing fo many great and fine Prmntit la tht 
EngliQi Scepter. I little regretted the mt being a 
Ki'ig,v}biljiyi>iihad a Monarch, whs well dtftr^i 
ts have been one. But, at this Time, vjhtn a wtdl 

feeble Heir to that happy Vfurpat.'on, keepifrom mtt 
Crown, and lefis thoje Conijuejls which have caftjn 

fotnuch BlDod, I pouUl be unworthy of that ef ^ 
many Kings which runs in my Veins, ft te rettv/i 

th/i 

Thebft Aa of Suit which ffimjr did, or was cominairfed 
naslns-annCwT.miffion to EJmrHDake<if IVi, afto- hii FaZ 
■ wdj (k'ui at titc Battle of **»*</<■«, for tailuf F( 



S^t igiinA his Queen tnd Son. Oited Fei, is, 1461. 
fiKhJI-r. R»Mf. Tmi-X. 
(;) Pirt D'Otlnns H^ de BfW. ITAn;. Ttm. O, P, >i 



Sd. Pii 



0/ ENGLAND. 303 

thofe ConqueflSy I do not take the Crown. Aid me King Henry VI. 
^withyour Jlffiflame to fupport the Weighty and you 
Jball partake with me in the Advantage of it. 

Our Hiftorian goes on, and tells us, that the 
Countenances of the Houfe, during the Time the 
Duke was fpeaking, and their profound Silence at 
the End of his Harangue, appeared to that Prince 
a fure Token that the Crown, on Henrf^ Head, 
• was not fo loofe as he imagined. Greatly cha- 
grined, he left the Houfe very abruptly j and^ in a 
nffion fiidathis going out, 7hink of this Matter. 
—— / hanfe taken my Courfe^ take you yours. 

While thefe Things were doing, many hot 
Difputes paiTed between the Lords Spiritual 
and Temporal, and the Commons, about the 
Settlement of the Crown. Some thought it very p^l^^^j^^^^^ 
unreafonable to call King Henry's Title in Quefti- 
on, who had been fo long in Poflcflion of the So- 
vereignty ; and fo much the rather, becaufe the 
Duke of Tort himfelf had, in fwearing Allegiance 
to King Henry fo often, and declaring him his 
lawful Sovereign, tied up himfelf from claiming 
the Crown, if he had any Right to it. But on the 
other Side, the Duke of York's Friends, which 
were not a few, argued that the Duke's Tide was 
fo clear, and fo v/ell known to them all, that it 
would be the greateft Injuftice in the World to 
deny him his Right ; and tho' King Henry^ it is 
true, had been long in the Pofleffion of the * 
Throne, yet his Ufurpation being \o evident, he 
ought to be as willing to recede from what he was 
wrongfully pofleffed of, as they were in Juftice 
bound to declare him deprived. *Twas true, they 
iaid, the Duke of York had often fworn Allegiance 
to King Henry J and taken him for his lawful So- 
vereign, yet he never renounced his Right; and 
'twas plain, his Oaths and Prom ifes were out of 
Fear or Force, and not willingly (z). 

Another 

(x) Whilft thu weighty Affair was debating in the lower Houfc^ 
wbiii was tiie then Fratry^ as it is called^ in the Abby of Wgft^ 

minfierf 



304 The Tarliamentary H i story 

King Henry VI. AnoihQf old Hiftorian hath drawn up the Ar- 
guments made ufe of in favour of the reigning 
King, and the Houfe of Lancajier^ in a much bet- 
ter Manner ; and fays, that tho' the EflFeft of the 
Duke of Krif's Title, as to the Points of Pedc- 
gree, was very true, yet the Friends of King 
Henryy without denying what could not be deniedy 
had fomewhat to fay for him ; and amongfto- 
ther Things, they alledged (a)y * That Richmt the 
fecond refigned up his Crown and Regality at 
larger and that none elfe making Claun, but 
Henry Duke of Lancafier^ he was thereumo» 
by Confent of all the three Eftates, admitted. 
That Richard Earl of Cambridge was, for High 
Treafon attainted and executed, and his Iflue 
made incapable of any Inheritance ; that this 
Richard his Son, now challenging the Crown 
of England^ being reftored by themeer Clemen- 
cy and Goodnel's of this King Henry the Sixth, 
had voluntarily acknowledged him for his lawful 
Sovereign, and fworn the fame ; and that the 
faid iJ;VZ?jrrf was finally, for Treafon, attaint- 
ed and adjudged uninberitable. They alledg'd al- 
fo feveral Adts of Parliament made to eftablifli 
the Right of the Lancajirlan Line ; the Suc- 
ceflion of three Henrys^ that is to fay, the 
fourth, fifth, and fixih ; .the politic Government 
ofthe firftof thoie Kings, the noble Vidories of 
ihe fecond, and the hc.ly Life of the third; 
which three King's Lives contained in reigning 
near threefccre Years, in which Number this 
W2S the 39lh of //<f«ry the Vlth, who was de- 
fcended from the Uncle ; and the Duke of York 
tut from a Female, of which Females none 
had ever been in Pofleflion of ihe Crovv^n. Thefe 

great 

mlrjicvy .1 Crcwn which hung for Cmamcnt from the Roof fuddeflK 
Jy fell down ; and at the fame Time, another Crown, pkced for the 
fsmc Furjiule, on Dovrr Cafth:, fell likewifc. Thefe Cmecs wot 
viijprly conftrued, that King Ifettry^B Reign was at an End, aai 
th:«t ti:e Cro\N'n fticuld le tranrferred from one Royal Line to inf ■ 
thcr. • 



'-0/ ENGL AND. joj 

great and wdghiy Points, acids our Author, were King Hwry vi. 

eotlfidcred, and the rather, becaufe that King 

Henry hein^r at that Time ro belter than a Pri- 

foner, no Aa of h's to eftahlift the Title of the 

Boufe of York, could be fo valid as to difinherit 

bis own Son ; who was then at Liberty, and with 

the Queen his Mother, in Arms, ready to free 

his Father, or hazard the DeftruftJor of the whole 

Bnglijh Name. To all thele Arguments the 

Terkijis objefted one Rule of Law, which was, 

yura Sanguitiii nuUo "Jure t\vUi dirimi poffunt. 

However, the Arguments, Pro and Cen, being 
thought ftrong on both Sides, a Medium was hit 
upon, and thought proper by the Lord?, in order 
to avoid a Difpule lefs amicnble. And, on -^// 
Saints Diyy November ift, an Award, or Agree-TheLnrJi In 
ircnt, was fettled between thefe two Princes P^lii^ment m^tf 
King Henry and Richr.rd Diike of Tori, "uder ^^J'J^'^^ ^';;;,g 
thefe Articles (c) : ,nd the Duke of 

' L That notwithftandirc the clear and undif-Voik. 
purabie Title of Rkhurd ti'aVe of y'ork, to the 
Crown of England, as Heir to Lionil Duke of 
Clarence, the faid Duke tenderly defiring the 
Wealth and Profperity of this Land, and to by 
afide all that may be a Trouble to the f.ime ; and 
confidering the long Pofleflion of the faid King 
Henry, who hath all his Time been named, taken, 
and reputed for Kicg of England, and Lord of 
Ireland, it isconfented,3nd agreed to, that the faid 
King Henry, ftiall be taken and reputed King of 
'Snglandy and Lord of Ireland, during Iiis natural 
'life, and the faid Duke Ihall honour him as his 

wereign Lord. 

" IL That the ftid Richard, Duke of Yari, with 
two Sons, Edward Earl of March, and Ed- 
fund Earl of Rutland, fliall promife and bind 
tJifmlelves by folemn Oaths, neither to do, pru- 
("Urei or fuffcr any Thing to the Prejudice of the 
natural Life of King Henry VI. or to the dimi- 

VoL. H. U nilhint; 

_ (() SiTffl. DarM! lo Kinr.!l, P. 414. SiMiin/fufiJ, P. 657. 
p*uf, 409. 






3o6 The T-tritammhiy^ History 

KinsMcDiy VI. niOiing of his Royal Digniiy, but fliall withl 
to their utmoft Fowei; any Perfon thai ihall attei 
it, as God fliall help them, 

* III. That Richard, Duke of York Ihall fro* 
ihencefonh be called and reputed the very aibl' 
rig,hiful Heir lo the Englijh Crown, and after \^ 
Deceale of the faid VixtgHinry, the faiJ Didlf 
and his Heirs fhall immediately fuccced to them, f 

' IV. That the faid Richard Duke of Turk &t» 
have, by the Authority of ihisprefent Parlianieflib 
Csftles, Manors, Lands and Tenements* wjift. 
ihcir A^ipurtenances, to the Yearly Value cK 
10,000 Marks, over and above all Charges aHn 
Reprifes, of which 5000' Marks ihall be for hv 
own Eftate, 3000 for the Earl of March, and ooef 
for the Earl of Rutland, yet with fuch intents arid 
Confideratiors, as fhall be declared by the hosit 
of the Kinn's Council. 

' V, Thiit if any Perfon imagine, or compaA 
the Death of the faid Duke, and thereof "be conr- 
vit'lcd, they (hail be adjudged guilty of fjt{^ 
'I'reafon. ._. 

' VI. That the Lords SfMritua! and Tempm^ 
and Commons iii Parliament aflembled, ftaU lalT' 
an Orith, to accept, take, worihip, and repui 
the fdid Richard Duke of 1«-^, and his Heirs, t 
abovefaid, and the faid Duke ihall protect tbeml 
keeping this Agreement. 

' Vir. That this Accord and Agreement tha_ 
be notified and publifli'd by the King's Letters Pl» 
icnts, and his Gonfeiit and Agreement be openly 
declafed .to -all :and evetry one of ihemi and tf 
the (aid King Heruj (hall break, dr go againft any 
Point of ibts Accord, then the fdid Crown -and 
Royal Dignity, fliall immediaieiy devolve sirAi 
come to the-Dtike of Terk. If be be nlivo, or u 
liie Jieirt Heir of his Lineage. 

' ¥IH.Thafall Statutes and Aflsof Parliamem, 
madein the Time of Henry IV. or V, to entwl 
the Crown on their Heirs, fliall be annuH'd. and 
repeal'dr '■-■ 

■ ■* "■ . . IX. 



L 



UMi 



0/ E N G L A N D. 307 ^^ 

' IX. That [he Duke of TarkOyaW bcProteaor KingHtiirj VL 
of ilic Realm foi ihe future, and be called Prince 
of fyalesy Duke of Coniwd, and Earl of Chefler. 

This Agreement drawn up in die Form above- 
faid, was cngroBed, fealed, and fworn unto by 
boih Parlies on AU-Sainti Dzy ; and then it was 
enafted by the Pdjliament, that il be made a«a/- _H 

Urable on all Hands. King Htnry was obfcive^ ' ^| 

to be very much picafed with this Agreement ; ^| 

Not, doubitefs, bccaulr he was willing his Son ^H 

fhould be excluded from the Crown ; but becaufe he H 

feared more fevere Dealings with liimfeli, and " H 

hoped Time wpuld better provide for Tils Son; J^^ 

and therefore appointed a folemn Prpceflloo iht *^^ 

fame Day, to give Thanks to God for this ^| 

peaceable Settlement of Affairs. The King rode ,^| 

to the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, attended * S 

with the Duke of Tork, Eails of S/Hsiary ,aiid ' ^| 

IFarwhk, and many other Lords, With bis Crown ^| 

upon his Head, and heard Even-Song, and then ^| 

return'd to the Bifliop's Palace,wherc he continued ^| 

fomeTime. -^H 

The next Day Richard Duke of Tsri was bjr '^H 

SouDd of Trumpet iblemnly proclaimed, ' Heir- ^| 

' Apparent to the Crown oifingland^ and ail his ^| 

* Progeny after higi, alio Lord Proteftorof the ^| 

' Nation, during the King's Life (d). 

We cannot avoid giving liere a ReflSif^ion froHi 
a much later Hiftorijn, on this Crltirlm of Bng-^^''^ *"" 
iijb Hiftory, as remarkable as any is to be "found 
til that celebrated Writer. After a very fhort 
Abftraft of the Articles, he adds, that {e) very 
likely, this Agreement did not come up to the 
Duke of Tsrk's ExpcdatioD- He was cbntcnied, 
however, becaufe he perceived it would be very 
difficult to obtain more, without open Force. 
It cannot be denied thai he behaved with a Mo- 
deration very uncommon in fuch Cafes, In his 
preient Circumllanccs, and according u> the Rule 
generally followed by Parliameuts, to declare for 
U 2 thf 



llfeAiAl 



A 



5o8 Tl:ie Parliament iiry HiS'toRT 
Kinj Henry vi.'the^ftrougeft, noihmg wjs morer-cafy for the Dblti 
tRan to caufe [he Crown lo be adjudged to bi 
immediately. He had 3t his CommanJ a vifli 
rious,, nnd at that time, irrefiftible Army, 
lides, moft of the MemSers of ParHametit weii 
in hislnt?reft, and proMbIyi after ackoowledgin 
hisTitle to be indifputab'e, they would not hat 
*anicd much Sollidiaiion lo proceed one Ste 
fariher, and place him on ihe Throre. It {|f 
therefore manifeft, if the Parliament fhewefjatrt 
reaird for /f«r_j', it was, bfcaufe 
tremfclvfi at Eihcrty to ufe this I 



jfe they thbu^ 
Equity, i]Ot*itl«i 
Rich might hAl 



Randini |he viflorious Army wfiich mighi 
olTere^ ihem' Viftlence, if the Duke would hai( 
made ufe of his Advantages. It mutt be -fortbtl 
tjbfervcd, that the Duke of pri was oI(ler thaj 
the King,' and therefore naturally coiiltf not dl 
pcftto oii>live him. And yet, thofe who ha| 
wiil the Hiftory Of thefe Troubles, have put £ 
111 ConftrurfTon upon all they have faid concenil 
ing' this Prince, The Reafon may be eafily guej 
Jed. The Houl'e of i'cri enjoying the Throa 
but'twenty-four Years, we have no Hiftoriaii ii 
that Imerval ; all we have being later, and wftc 
ihg fince the l^eftoration'qf the Houfe of Lait^' 
cajUr in the Perlbn of Tflmy VTI, This muft be 
always remembred in reading the Hiflory of ihcfe 
Civil Wars. ^ 

BtM, .tt) put the laft Hand-to this Affkir, tl 
Dulie of Tirk was very defirWis that the'Ci^e(_ 
and her Son Iliould, alfo, be' prefenr to ratify tf«J' 
Treaty, , The King wrote tt ihcm both to Come 
Up, but- he Toon found th? Spirit of that fieit^ 
Princef^ otherways difpoied than his own. Iii 
fhorc, Ihc abTolui'ely refufed to dbey ; aixi having' 
nn Array with her, of i8,ood Men, with tm' 
Dukes o^_Sti^i(rfit and Exeter^ the Earls of W//i 
Jlihe and De^ortjhhe, the ' Lord CUford, and a 
cdnCdei-able Party oF the Northern Nobility, fhe 
hcjped to manage better for their common Intereft 
[h^ti her HuOiand had d. ' 





0/ E N G L A N D. 

1 'The Duke of Kri being appnTed of the Queen's "'"b H*nrj.vi, 
R«(bluUOfi, and the Prepataiions Jhe had made 
to Ipreferve ihe Crown to her Son, ni arched ^JJP^^' ^^i" 
down lus Forces into the North ; and, leaving^j^/ 
King tdeary to the Care of the Ear! of Warwick 
Stid^leDuke of N^folk, advanced wifh the Earl 
of Salisbury as far ae Wakefield. He had given 
Orders to his Son, the Eail of Manhy lo foJlow 
and join him with what Forces he could raifc; 
and, till their Arrival fecured himfelf and his 
fmallArmy in the Caftle of Snndal, rear the 
Town aforefaid, Tha Queen well knew thai 
file had no Time to lofe, and therefore came her- 
feif in Perfoii, at the Head of her Army, to at- 
tack the Duke before his Son could come to his 
Afliftance. The Duke was fcirce ;Ooo ^roog, 
bat his great Courage was the Occ^iiott of his 
Ruio, for fcorning to be cooped up in a Caftle 
by a Woman, contrary to the Advic§ of j the Earl 
of S'llijhury and other old Officers, he reniured to 
■we her Battle j ■ where, being overpower'd by 
Niiajbers, he bravely fell, and his fm<ri! Army 
wore cm in Pieces. With him was llain alio the TSi? V>±b "t 
I^\ oi Salifiury, v]\ih many more of Noie,; but ^|;;^^.^;^^"'>' 
none is fo remarkable as the Death of tlie young 
Eatl of Rutland, fcarce twelve Yeats olJ, who 
Wis butchered by the Lord Cliffiird after the Batr 
tie was over, becaufe he had theMisfortuge tobe 
Son to the Duke of Tort. 
. The Heroine Margaret was much elated at this 
Viftory, and the Death of her greaieft Enemy : 
She firll ordered his Head to be llruck of}', aown- 
ed with pjper in Derilion, and, with the tjeadw 
of the Earl of Salifiuty, and others, fet op olie 
of the Gates oi TM ; thefi'maT^hed Southwarti 
with her viftorious Arnfty t6 deliver her Hufband ; 
and, in a new Parliament, to get the late Accora- ■ 
modation with the HoMfe of Ybri armulled, aod 
fet afide. For forae Time longer Fortune wa^ 
her Friend ; (be defeated the Earl of Jf'srwick 
ftcar St. Alkam-i retook the Kinn, and marched 
U 3 " ■ for 



I 



310 The'ParliameMdfy'RwVo^.t 

nk|HMT7 VI. fyf £.eni}an with her Forces, in order to cooupbt 
be< Dcfign. But heaiing thni ibe youi^ £11^ 
of A'farch, now Duke of tsri, had beaten Ihe Eiri 
of Ptmbri^kt in H^ala, and was maiching Kiwvi 
her, joined witb ihc Earl of if-'amnei md H 
fcailer'd Troops, (he changed her Rout and IMI 
Northward, not having any Cort5dence in Cafeti 
a Battle, in the Londontrs, or her Souihem Sub- 
jefls. Edward, being informed of this, marchd 
direftly for the Capital, where he was joyfullf 
received 1 and having aHeitibled all [be Billiopi 
and Lords ihat were in Towo, along with ift 
principal Citizens, like Al/xanJfr, he cut th.e Knoi 
at one Stroke, which his Father had fo long bca 
endeavouring to unloole. in fhort, in thai Al- 
fembly, he claimed the Crown, firfl by wiu- 
doubted hereditary Right ; and next by an Iv 
fradion of the feventh Article Jn the Aceonl, 
made between H/nry and his Father, in the M 
PatliamenTt which the faid Henry had brolt 
BothuSonEd- The Affair was pulhed fo warmly, that he wv, 
wMd proves Vic- Upon the Siwt, declared King, by the Nanedf 
tonout.Mdu £tl-n,grd the Founh, March the 4th, 1461 ; be- 
ing then juft twenty Years of Age. The iwl 
Day he made a folemn Proceffion thto' the Gilf. 
fifft to St; PeuN, and next Xol^eftmin/fer-Aliini 
and was proclaimed King by (he Title afoiefrit 
with the ulual Ceremonies, 





qr, f-N. C L A N D. 311 

"^DTf^RD having thus ohuined the Title ofKincEdwinllv. 
:^ ^iing, yi y Jr^iis, as it were, had yet much 
Ild^t9 get Pofleflion of the Crown; for the heroic 
SKarel was ftill at the Head of aa Army, 
~?ofcd oE nil the Forces hclonging lo the Red- 
Tiny i 'fighiing tor a King who had been 
^tccoinifcd as fuch, and which had been twice 
tqnbus la, what was then called, the Royal 
ie. Eiui^d, therclbrCi had no tipie to lojc ; 
inew very well that te had no other way to 
jfSsafK.Lenda/i, but to leave it immediately, and 
^8(cli' tovcards TiTi. The Queen was then in 
^»^-<Kiy ; and hearing of bis Approach, fhe fcnt 
jisjii her Army, commapdEd by the Du^ of Ss- . 
JBn^f, (he Eat I of Ksrthumhtrhnd, and the 
*%gxA Cli§'crd to meet Irim. So.Tic Advantage 
mks ^^ned by ihefe Generals, at firft, by the 
Airprife of the imporuiit Poll of Ftrryliridge ; 
JBttt the Thrir/ls hiving quickly cegained.it, they 
nurcbed over. tfa? River .if/rf, and met, the Bulk 
of the Qdeen'ir Ariny,, draWn up in order of Bat- The fc.ji Pattk 
d^'in theFleldi near a Village caned ToKteii,<it riAtoo. 
iWut 'two' Miles Sou^h-weft of Ta^afitr. 

It is not to onr Purpofe, to enter into the Par- 
tfculaw of this bloody Engagement ; llie greateft 
and mofttWlinaje that» to liiisTfey, was evir 
fwgiA in ihiiiflaiid; 1c is fufficient to fay that Ed- - 
ward was viftoriaus, iSftcr the Lofs of above thiny- 
fix-^KMi&ikt Enghjb Men, who then fell by each 
other's Swords. KinR Hmry^ his Qiieen and Son, 
fliHl into ^oilahdi ^ni Bdivard marched into Yari^ 
where he fopn took down the Heads of- bis Fa- 
ther, the Eail of SaMury, and others, which had 
been put over one or the City-pates ; and placed 
in itieir Room the [feads of fome of the moO; 
mortal Enemies of his Houfe, who were biken 
n {Iain in the Battle. 

B4w$r.d ftaid.forneTime at Ttrh to fix theKor- 

Avn Province^ mini, fully in his Imereft \ and - 

leaving every Tliing quiet in thofe Countries, he 

U 4 returned 



311 The 'Parliamentary History 

\ KinjEdwafd IV, returned to Leadan, and was folemnly crowned 
foon after at if^tjlmnjier, with the ufual Cerdjno^, 
nics. Then to fettle all other Maners of afate, 
on the mod lading Foundiiion, he fummt 

fUanent ^ Parliament hy Writs, dated at IfeAmit^, 
May 23, to meet at ihf fame Place the 6th "Daj- 
of Juhf following. But, hecaufe the King of 
Scots was entered into Engkndvi\i)\ an Armj,"in 
favour of King Henrys Edward and his CoWldi, 
thought proper to poftpone the Meeting of ijic, 
Parliament ; and, by oiherWriis dated Jsify"^, 
the fame Peers were fummoned to appear at'^jtf-' 
minjfir on ihc 4th Oay of November following^/]. 
The former Wiir of Summons direfled lo fbt- 
mm (s), Ardibifliop of Canterbury, is in the ufual 
Stile, with the reft of the Bifllops, Abbots, and'. 
Priors, a! well as ihe Temporal Lords ; bifthfi'i 
Names of the latter, in this firft ParJiameriMflrT'. 
lb great a Revolution, may not be uiiaccepiiyB^ 
10 a curious Enquirer. ' ' '^^ 

'Ihe King la his dearly beloved Coufwy 
John Duke of Norfolk, John Lord jfiidUy, 

„ ^ Riihard Earl of IVar- jhom^s Lord Scratpt ot- 

•aa. wick, Mojham, 

John Earl of Oxford, John Lord Clinton^ 
lyaiiam Earl pf Arundd, John Lord Level, -_ ^^ 
Ralph Earl of IVcJlmore- Edward Nevil hcrit 

laid, Bergavenny, 

Hinry Vifcoiuit Bour- Edward Brooi hoiiCti- 

chier, ham, 

Edward Lord Grey of Reginald Lord Grtg 

Ruthin, IP'illon, y 

fames Lord Berleley, John Lord Steurtcn ol 
George Lord Latrmer, Staurcori, t 

Ralph Loi-d Groyjiock, JViliiam Bourchier Loti^ 
Jfiiham Lord Bottreatix, Filz-TVarynt J 

John Lord Beauchamp, ^'WJj 



L 



W. Prymi, the PubliftiCT of Coins's j 

MitoltK in the Date 

(fj-Bturttia-, Li 



Airielrcmtitt, has am. 
r.™ Writs, 



t»?^Mr:^i.i ^^ 



p 



Henry Bram/rte . Lord flP;%/«- NevVi Lord King" Wwjrfrv. 

Vi^'yt fmaonhcrge , 

Ralph Lord Bottler of j^a^n Bourihkr Lord 

SiiiHiy. ' Earners, 

Thomas Lord Gra;- of ^j(:?!drj ^//w L6KJ- 

Richmond, JVilhughhy, . , 

"John Lord Zmon of Sir /ftwry Titz-Huth., ' ' 

Dudley, ^M Henry Grey^ 

JVUliam Fpus Lord Sir iiiV-6tfr</ We]U 'I 

Say^ Sir Thomas' Stanley, . - 

Richard Fynes , Lord Sir 7ai« JV/mVj Lord. 

J)acre, Mintacute. ' ,, 

BBBdes tfiefe Lords, f^c. other Writs were di- 
re£tei|to fummon the twelce Judges there named, ' \ *^ 

and, in the Writs for altering the Time from July ■ i,toI» 

to NsviiTsl'ir, feven are called, to fit in the Houfe ■ -v ""W 

of Peers C*)- ■ "V 

The Parliament met, at the Time and Place . 

laft appointed, when, in the Prefence of the """46?"' '" 
King fitting on ihe Throne, and of the Lords At Wdimiofler. 
and Commons, G(orge{i), BiOiop of Exeter, de- 
clared the Caufe of the Summons in a notable O- 
fJlion, taking for his Theme, Bonas facile Vias 
a Studia Vejira. Jer. 7. After which he or- 
dered the Commons to chufe, and the next Day 
to prefent their Speaker. 

The Receivers and Tryers of Petitions for 
England, Inland, It^a/es and Scotland, with Gaf- 
etigny and the Ifles, being, according to ancient 
Cuftora appointed ; on the third Day of their Sir- 
ting the Commons prefented to the King Sir 
James Strangetuaies Knt. to he their Spe.iki;r ; 
whofe Excuic being rejected, he, with the com- 
mon Protellation, was allowed. At the fame g. . „s,r„^ 
time, the laid Sir Jatnet StrnHgewaies made a waTcschoien 
Speech Spnka. 

(i) A om Frfhiii, Magsaiiiui & Fmiribia £ai Rrgni 
CtUojmuH bablrc & TraSatum. 

SummoniiioiKi id ParlianiHlti, i EivMrdr/. 

it) Gnrgi Ntvllr, Brolhtr to the (anaw Eatl of }yervnck, 
tAfmtc^ Aichbilhop ot' Ycrk, 



\ 



KiBJ|4n«r4iy. Speech to the Throne; .h which he took occafion 
to commend the King for his extraordinary Cou- 
rage and Conduft againfl his Enemies j aqd tc- 
turned Thanks to God for the great Victories ' 
given to him. 

The next Thing we find that was done in this 
Parlismeut, was to read a long Declaration of the 
King'sTitle to the Crown ; containing, in effeft, .. 
what his Father hid delivered lo Parliament the 
39th of the laft Reiga. To which was added, ' 
a ^acapi tula lion of the tyrannous Reign of 
Henry ihft Fourth, with his heinous murdering' of 
King Riihard the SeCond(^). , ■ ■ 

- After ihis an Aft was pafled, by the general 
H™yiv!dc- Gwifentof both Hovfes of ParUament, thatKing 
ckni to have E^wqrd the Fourth was and is undoubted King 
^ ""^T' °^ ■^W^'"'t from the +[h Day of March ihfln laft 
I^Lly difinh!:- P^'^' when, all the Eftates yielded themfelves o- " 
nui. beyiant Subjeds to the faid Edward IV. ^nd hb 

Heirs for ever ; affirming the Reign oi Henry XV. , 
to have been an Imrufion and Ufurpation. It wai * 
alfoenadied, that KXvig.BdwardW. wa:? feieed 
of the Crown and Profits of the Realm of Eng- 
land, from the faid 4th Diy of Murch^ in fuch 
Sort as King Rchard II. enjoyed ihe fame, in the 
23d Year of liis Reign. In which Ad is one 
Proviiion, and one general Provifion for all Men's 
Rights, except ihofc who claim by Grants from 
Henry IV. Htnry V. ud Henry VIC/J. The 
I«d 



m lli?'t Pro( 



le ftrlian 



' never ittiropted to Jwavc fiiin thafwhoiefbme Ptjndflt (J dc- 

■ duiqe f« tk fbDDgefi j aM adds, tbac whit we /faaU &c Iq 
* the Sequel of thU very Reign will Ki\ farther conlinii ft.' 

K/.tik's Hijf. c/England, Fcl, Ed. P. J97. 
It) TheAaofParliamnt, .whUiii very Jong. teanHiisTid, 

S^hkb Aai, Jmt ty KiKg Hcnij' IV. V. erd VI. w By tttir, 
Annngjbtir Bapri, piall atiime gaoi, and vilici lut^ (Up, j. 
The Preamble nina thus: 

.< For tlie Efchewint (]f 'AnU£uJiie>i Doubti, and DiverCtio of 

■ jC^bMBu, which may [U(, tn^uc, and lie taJien of and^upm 
' JudicuJ AiiSj and upon Eiemrlifications of the faaie, nuKle Or 






i 



0/ E N G L A N D. jij 

laid Hdnry of Derbyt olhcxvMs ca.\\£^ He^yl^ -KirnJOmaAW. 
zbA ihe Heirs of his Body coming, are by .ihi? A£l 
ittlerly difabled to enjoy aay Inheritance, ElVatc. 
or Profits, wittiin tliis Realm or Dominions of 
the Jame for ever. And thus, fays an Hiftorian, 
It 'is remarkairle that the Law, in iKis and in iha 
AtuindcT that followed, reached Hrnry^ even, 
under ihe Shelter of a Kini ik Fa^o (m). 

Then a whole Reciisl of the Concord, or A- 
meetiunt, made between Henry VI. and Riihard 
WUke of Ysrk. Anno 39, /Ssfy VL wasread, and 
^c Breach of it by fundiy Means wasidedared. 
^y which Breach it was, alfo, declared, ihatKtjis 
'dward IV. was difcharged from the faid Con- 
COTfi, aad that no Article of it fhould bind hiniT 
» Kii^, to thai Agreement. 

Mr. Habington in his Life of King Edmard the 
Fourth, fays, that at his Coronation, being feated 
in the moft perfpicuoas Place of UieGveat Hall at 
Wijlminfier^ he himfelf made an open Declara- 
tioQ of his double Title to the Crowij. ' Firft, 
' by Defcent, as before meniioned ; and next, by 
' Authority of Parliament ; .which, upon Exami- 

* nation of the late Dijk£ ©f York'i Title, confer- 

* red the Poflenion of the King'^om immedately 

* pn him or his Heirs, when Henry VI. (hould 

* make Forfeiture of it, by Death, Rcfignation 
' or Breach of that Accord fworn thpre fo iolemn- 
' ly between them. And that this Accord wa« 

* brctoivlhe Slau^ierof iheiaid Duke, opprefi'd 
with unequal Numbers of Hinry's Parly, at 
theBalileof /^ijfW^, did but too iadly maiii- 

!*,feft. NeVerthelefs, be protefted he would forego 
* the 

■"tad in the Time or Times pf ffrmy thiPnurth, Pmi-y the Fifth 
■ his Son, onil Hrnrj the Sicth hit Son, or any of Ihan, htc 
' Kings cf England (uccediYcly, in Deed and on of K-ighr, 

There is Onlj' another Aft in the Slitntc Boolcs made thj? Par- 
Eimeat, which wai, that tufficcs of Peace mjy »"-inl Procc;': iiuon 
AidifbnaiU ukCn in a Sheraf'f Touios. .JwkI. Edoardl/, 
Cef. a. 

ppLUH'i ttetefiafi, 'jUjl, goolt VH. P. 679. 



I^Svrtriiv. ' the Jullice of his Claim,' rather thafi entcf^up- 
' OD-jt wiihoot iheir free Vote. At which,'-uni- 

* 'nimoufly, ihe Aflembly.iried out, lO/is Edwar3^ 
' King Eiward-, joyful that their Voices nrght 
' tonfinwhim King, who had deigned them fo 

* humble' a Compliment, as to profefs that he 

* would' not receive theTitle without theifSuf- 
' /rage." In another Place, the fame Anthor 
makes this Remark, thai • Perhaps this Cerertio- 
' ny did then apjiear needful, in regard thC fame 
' Voirts had vowed Obedience to another.* O- 
' ther'wife, whofoever fhall aliedge that the'Suf- 
' frafteof the Multitgde is neceflary to confirm a 
*" Prince, dellroys tli^ Right of Succcfli'on, and in 

* that" the Monarchy, which fo long and irium- 
' ptunily hath ruled tliisNiiion.' But, to return 
10' the" Kirther Proceedings of this Parliament, 

Next follows a long Hill of Attainder of ilivers 
^^^^^'•i- Perfon? for tlie Death of Richard Duke of lurf, 
and others; particularly, Henry V\. Margaret 
late Qiieert of England^ Edward called Prince df 
(Valei, Henry late Duke of Ssmerjet, and Henry 
Earl of NjrthumPrlnnd. Reciting, that fPVSam 
Lord Bonevile, Sir Thomas Kuril!, Knights of (he 
Garter, ariji Sif IVilfom Gniier, Knt. Standard- 
Bearer to Richard Duke of Ysri^ were againll 
I^w beheaded and murdered. 

Another BHI of Attainder was pafled- agaiiift 
Tiimai Cawfiey late Earl of Devenpire,'Thmas 
Lordifw, 7(i*>/hrtLord Mcvik, Baldwyff^uffi- 
hurjl, Alexander Hedil, NHholas Latimer, yames 
Luttirel^ ' Edmcnd Mountfort, Thamas F^inderni 
Henry Lewh,- John Hirm of -Fdrd, Rithari 
Tunjial, Henry Bdlingham, Rderi li^itlingham. 
Knights ; Andrew Trolhp, late of Guiuefae Elq; 
with fevetal otherEfquires, GeailcBicn, andVed* 
men, for being at the Death xtf the Duke of Yerk^ 
at Wakefield, the 30ih Day of Deambsrh^ paft. 
And, - . • ■ 

Henry, Duke of Emtr^ WMalh, Vifcouni 

Beaumont, Jchn G'^O'i 'ate Lord Rougemint^ 

Rundilf 



r 



0/ E N G L A N D, ' yiy 



Jidndelf, late Lord D<icre ; Humphriy Datrerr,KhztAimiPfi 

Philip IVsntworih, TVUHain RawkeJIey, Edmund 

Hampdtn, Themas Findrey, Jchn Cs'irtney, Jebn 

Ormond, alias Boiler, miiiam Mil/iy, Simon 

ttajnis, Wiliiam Holland, called ihe Iteftard of .-.'31-* 

Exeief, Thomas Ormond, alias Sotler^ Thomas 

Evtringheni, Henry Rnos of Rociitigham, with 

fcveral other Efquires, Gentlemen, Yeomen and 

Priefts, were attainted for being againft King Ed- 

mrd IV. March 19, laft, being Palm Sunday, 

1 the Fields called Saxton Fields, and Tauitan 

iPiclds, In the County of York. 

. King Henry VI. Queen Margaret, Prince 

"ward and fome others, there named, areal- 

kinted, for delivering tip the Town of Berwici, 

b James, Kmg of Siots, on the Fesft of St 

^ehi the EvaiigiUJi hit paft. Likewife, for 

raflifing to deliver up tlie Caftle and City of 

' 'lijle to the Scots. And the laft named Perfons, 

h J<'fp^i', Earl oF Pembroke^ James, Earl of 

^Its, Robert, Lord Hungerford, with certain 

\iefts and Friars, we« alfo attainted, for pro- 

" 4ng Foreign Princes- 10 invade ihe King and 

.. aim. 

- Henry VI. with certain Perfons afore-named, 
fshtt Forleftite, Jf^lliam Talbcis, and other Ef- 
pires, Gentlemen, Priefts and Friars, were at- 
tnted, for being in the Field ag,ainft King Ed- 
iHrdlV. in the Bifhoprick of Dttf^om, theiSth 
Payofyun^laftpaftj;- And the "Duke of Exeter 
jtforefaid, Jffpfr, Earlof Pembroke, and others, 
^ere attainted' for railing War" Seajpft the King 
t Tubal, beiidcs Caernarvon in tVates, on Friday 
jxt after the Feaft of St Edward laft paft. 
(;The Attainder and Forfeiture of all and fingulnr 
jBHereditamenis of ihf aforefaid Henry VI. and 
fcmely of all the Land belonging to the Duchy 
thancafiir \ thai the faid King EdvJand IV. 
tall hold the faid Duchy and County Palatine of 
icoftr, to him and to his Heiis Kings of Eng- 
'^ vrith"a!I Oflices'?nd Liberties 'lo the fame 
belonging 



i 



r 



3fS ThcTarliameMt.try Histort 

rfiv, belonging, frperale frora the Crown; and that | 

ilie Tenants of ihe laid Duchy do enjoy all ih^ j 

Libcni«, in futh wife as wticn Henry VI. held 

ihe fioic cm the Uiird Day of March laft. 

I AailUbMiiuni. After i«fliog all ihefe Bills of Attainder and 

ForfeJiurei, ihe Patlian*enl went upon AGs of i 

ReditiAtiuo J and ihe whole Procefs and Judg- A 

ment, as wdl by Parliament as otherwiie, agai^ 
Riihiird, Earl of Conibridge, and feveral otheiii 
was uiieriy made void and repealed. The 
like Jiide,ai«nt in Parliainenl againll Jabit Mm- 
tagus, laie Earl of SsHibury, and Thomdt, 
Lord Dcfpenttr, was made void j and Richard, 
Earl of fVatwifit ard Jna, his Wife, the 
Daughter of Ifiiel, Daughter and Heir to ihe faid 
Thomas, in R^hi of ihe faid AiHy was refiored 
lo all [he Hereditaments of the faid Thomas. Alfo, 
jfUce, Counters of Salisiury, Daughter to Th' 
rrus Mentaguc, late Earl of Salhbury, Son of the 
faid Jehn^ was reftored to all [hcHereditamcnu of 
the laid jshn. Laflly,. Thmas Lumley^ Knight, 
Son to Ralph Lumley., Knigf«, was alfo reftored to 
all ihe Hereditaments of me laid Ra^b, and the 
Judgment againft him, made void. 

Thefe were a!l, or muft, of the Afts and Onli- 
ranees (vhich palled inis Parliament. At tlie 
Clofe-of the Seflion the King came to the Houfe, 
and fending for the Commons, after ihey ha-i 
given their Ailcni lo th* A::ainder Bills and ibe 
refi, addrcRed himfdfto them as follows. 

3lEmE« fetrsntoapat, anD jT tt^at be commPB 
&r tljc Common cf cljis mp JLono, 

Wwrd'sSr^ch TTaDSR tljt fur it^ette^ anH tmtirr (Conlitiera- 

to his firit p^r- J7 n"iis tijat re hniJe l)aP to invSigiitanB 

'™'="'- sriih', rliat ? anB tnp .itiHiaflre.B fjaW l)aD unto 

tfiE ticronne i f tbia iKe^me, nje toijif I) from 

HE igaijebeen long'^imEteiic^olDer. :^nD nottie 

r^anfifo he ainipslit? (Sofl, of toljoa <3ra(e 

ErctocU) ail Ci^ictorv. bp fcure true items 

aE3 gate 3iCflnijF, ? am rfflorro unto t^at 

tl]ac 



f 



Of E N G L A N D. 31J 

ttjat 10 mp jaisht anD a^itle, totierf fore p tfjaiike KingEdvMt* rv. 

j»ou as fK rtftp aa p can. ^Ifo for t6f ieiidec 

ano true iiiertee tijar j»e fja^c (Ijetoeo unto me, 

in tl)at ye Ijalje fEnDcrlv Ijao in Kfinim- 

traunfC tfje Corrrccion of ttiE IiorritJie fllSurtirc 

ano cruel ©ftij of mf !dorD mp 5FaDEr, mp 

ffirotljer JRutlanc, ano mp Cofpn of Sialpjliurp 

ana o;f)n', p tljanii? pou ngljc l]£rri[j>, nno p 

(^Ite utitn pau tDi:l} rlje (S>race of iilmiglrcp 

C5oo, aa gcoBano grar ous s^oljereifin t.ora atf 

eVwr toaff enp ofmp ncule 4g>n]setiJ tours to 

fljfir 4«UigmfS ano -..ifannBn. aiiw tor iljc 

ftttijEull ano iD'oyn^iiiems, saa alfo tiie grete 

JLabcurstljat pelja'je bum ano ruflepiica :otodrO« 

me, in tije reroiiEring of mp div Itialjt ana 

Sitfeijiljirlip n-jlo pcCfcac, p rljiinhB p.ii toitlj 

atlmmifrte, anopfp iiaocnp factrrr C5 00 to 

rctoarop u toittj all tl^n mp ®0Op pe ihuto 

IjaW it, tfje toljiii) iTiall aitoep be rcop for pouc 

©cfmcf, nrtirr fparmg nor letrins for noo ^'.fo* 

parCtc. i_-rdt>ing vou alt of poure Ijcrtp Xtlif* 

tens ana icco Cmtvnuance, as p Oiall be unto 

pau poure berap n^l]tbiiff£ ann [eiipng liege 

llOCD. 

Thb honeft and well meaning Speech, we 
have choie to give in the Language arid true 
Orthography of ihe Times. And, left i: (hould 
be faulty in tb^ Jbriilgment, we have procur'd 
a feiihful Copy from the Roll itfelf ; which, by 
comparing, will be found to d[(Fi;r fomewliar, 
both in Senfc and Spelling (w). 

After the King had ended his Speech, the 
Record tells us, that the Lord Chaiicellor ftood 
up, and declar'd, that fmce the whole Bufinels 
of this Parliament was not yet concluded, and the 
approaching Fcftival of Cbrijlmai would obftrudl 
it i He, therefore, by the King's Command, 
prorogu'd the Padiament to the 6th of Afay next 
cnfuing. At the fameTiihe he told them, thejKing 
had put out a Proclamation againft giving oi 
Liveries 

(«) For this and Buoy other Fivou re, wearcoliig'd to that 
aiiioui and leiroed Andquity, Giar^e Hulari, Efijj Dcputy-Kcepcc 
•f the keconJi, aoi F.R. -. 



I 



520 TJjc 'Parliamentary HisToRr 
tJ IV. Liveries and Bidges, contrary to Law, alio 
againft Maintenances, Robberies and Murdefs ; 
?.li, and every of which, ihe Bifhops, Lords and 
Commons, there prcfent, promis'd to obey, and 
lo fee obferv'd throughout the Kingdom. 

Thefe were ihe Tranfaflions ol this firft Par- 
liament called by this King, as they ftand on Be- 
cocd ; and of which fewornoneof our Hiftorians 
have taken any Notice. The Hijlory of Cropland, 
indeed, near cotemporary with thefe Times, 
obferves, * That Edward having gain'd the laft 

* Viflory near IddiaJUr, kept Itis Eajlirtl York 

* with great Splendour ; and having fettled all 

* Things to his Mind, for the Prefervation of the 

* Norths he reiurn'd to Lenden, where be was 

* foon after crown'd at Wejlminjltr : That in a 

* Parliament, call'd immediately after, almoft 

* every Aft of State, that had been done by ihc 

* three preceeding Kings, was refum'd or annuU'd: 

* That all the Coin of the Kingdom, both in 

* Gold and Silver was cliang'd and new ftruck, 

* thst, at length, the very Nam? of fieitry 
' might be bloited out : That by the Ail a- 
' forefaid, two Charters of Poilbflions and Ll- 
' berlies granted to their Abby by King Henry 

* the Fifth and Sixth, were rendered abfolutely 
' iin'alid : And, that in ibofe Days, the King- 

* dom was reduc'd to Obedience, for which 

* Mercy, granted from Heaven againft its Enc- 
' mie;, Thankfgiving to Almighiy God was 
' tendered by every one (■?).' 

itB the Ai the Clofe of this Parlisment, Hiftorians tell 
iso^n ^^■f ^^^^ Edvjard beftow'd great Largefles to his 
.Friends, out of the Eftates forfeited by his Ene- 
mies (Ji). Nor were Honours and Titles wanting 
to . 

foj Paejtam rji igi'itir Sigrmm Dichn iSii, n fiT tmeeffi 
ra/!l!>s dc hMdi •I?iu^fbo, ymverji P<ifuli GralUnm Aa«ma 
TtdiUmnl cm»ift 
Ed. Onle. P. 533. 



qui, ur lit in iirtiri Verbc, labomlm jirriealam 
di Fnil'hrU priori, triawm imniiim 3r S™i» 
--""-oV-V, fuU mlliitu^ .'f« wfriV/i >*£m /.'S^ii 
J.j^ibaniut, Jj/hiini', fcc. Pol, Vtna. 
Ade. p. 5.3. 






'Vifl, 




0/ E N G L A N D. 

to particular Perfons, whom either Proximity of„. _, ._, 
Blood, or Merit, had render'd dear [o him. His.*^^'"^'^- 
two remaining Brothers, Gwr^a and Richcrd, he 
created Dukes ; the Former of Clarence, the other 
XiiGUiifier. Jchn Lord Ntvik, Brother to the 
Earl of Warmick, he made Vifcount Msntacuit, 
afterward Marquefs of Montacuie. Henry Bour- 
ibUr, Brother to the Aichbifliop oF Caitteriury, 
was created Earl of Bpx ; Aui .JVilliam Lord 
Tautcnberg Earl of Kent : He rais'd fevera! others 
to the Title of Biirons, and honoured many with 
Knighthood, Punilhmema' fucceeded to Re- 
wards j' for Jch>i Earl of Oxford, 'Aubr(y dsFere, 
Jus Son, Sir Jehn Ti4denham, Knight, mU'am 
Tird and PP'dlier Montgomery, EfquireB,, were, 
Without aiiy Trial, attainted and convifled of 
Treafon, and beheaded on Tower- Hill (^). 

Though the great Earl oiWeirvj'uk, is not men- 
tioned here as receivlt^g any higher Tiilep and 
Rewards; yet, a CoteitiporaryHiftorian (/), af- 
fures us, that he Was not without an ample Share 
of the latter. He had fevera! Manors and Lord- 
(hips beftowed upon him by the King; fome out 
of Crown Lands, and others that were confifcat- 
ed. He wasconftituted Governor of Calais, and 
had oiher great Offices; fo, that our Author hiis 
himfelfheard, that he received arroally in Pen- 
fitjns, and thefe kind of Profits, Eighty Thoufand 
Pounds, bclides his own Inheritance. All thefc 
enabled him to fpend the moil in Hofpitality, that 
ever any Subjeil did before him ; of which 
our older Chronicles give fome ftrongand familiar 
Inflances. But, an unwarrantable Defeflion, after- 
wards, from the Family who had beftowed 
thcfe Gratuities upon him, loft this great Man 
his whole Income, and his Life into the Bai^ain. 
Some new Commotions happening about this 
Time, prevented King Edzvard from meeting this 
]aft Parliament, at the Time of the Prorogation. 
Therefoie, it is entered on the Roll, thai on the 
Vol.. n. X fijcth 



3aa The^arl^attfcma^Hiitof^r 

KivtlAmntry. iixlh 'bay br /Wiy,. in the.fecond Yfar of tiles' 
Reign, feaufe ihe King could not' attend' to be 
there, fimas, Archbi(liop of CanUrbufy^ by* 
lfiQJKing.'sLettprsPatfii;3,,(lifloli'ed the (aidFar-^ 
]iatnen.t, '-DysAalt has given us a Sumiiions (6: 
aPiwljanj^E at Jffr^'. tu ib^ held the jili Dkyof^ 
Fe'/jM''Jt'^»n!'i: Edivard IV. and another thef 
iiOi'e -Year t> /^^c^i^i/J^r (he jcjth of ^/laV, liui* 
ift) .I^uiice is iakep.in tfi^t Author, of anjf oth^^ 
PirlLiQentVtiUllie 6th, of this King. ' ' ' '" ■' 

M wliii;iMu.''^e"«(?i4Ti«"ici^^f'^tnrn^^^ Writs, date* 

Mruutj/ :'g|K,.Ip meft at>*p5#"-^,5'?£'r the 29th Or 
^JlrJ/^,Jili/f'.^' ''^{iv<ird^' W. XVh^a apd whefS, 
l«Jtiyuiii*|MU"i^"4i«^»^^«fi^:BiAop,of"£xf/^^^^^^ 
tTieu r.oril^r^c^Joi;) (lec^fd.ihe Caufe of tntf 
Suiarauca,rrt a^-^|§L.^^c|Li ("iftcr which he iii- 
r^flcd' iha''ComnK'"i!s.'io chwjfe /i .Speaker' i ,^n(l, 
cr^.n:c .J'lijr.i Da^' Jof-jtlic fStmop ihey' prefei)[?^ 

f«hnSav.El,i >'-,^'..>'£;fqi .■Wihowas^^te'lited. , ", , 

cLufcn ii.«a!itr. . The only ^ate^ial Tranidcljoj), of this fitft get, 
fiDi^offP^rliamhtt.w-'S, ipgrapt the.JCing ati^^j^ 

ASutiiJy. of 3^,Dao7. ,ibbE;Ic>;ie(iin,tlie CpHn(j^,,,Gt|» 

a^d ToVhs. -accoriflfigWa^Rate'.thcrc exprelled. 
And, onilTe.MihDay cf J,ufif, in ilie Prerence^ 
cf ihe ^Ing, Xords .and ,Uammons, the CWlr^ 
tellor, .by.liis rii^ijertys Goni^nsild, ga\(e Th^n^; 
to the .-Con^mbus .for^ (he Sublidy gn'pied, ^h^ 
prorpguq^ ihs- ^0}\hinej;i\ .from the fame D'kj ,ung, 
to ^eiut^tlhof y^ffraiirrpext, Ai 0'ejlmifi^r.' ' 
' Qn .tl-is h'id'^ih 'Day' of Navmber, ilisjn^f 
AfcWi^o^'af GanterSury, .the King's Kjpfmafl,] 
by ,his jLett^rs Patents, held and f ontii^ued tht 
Parliament i and the fame' Day iJie ChanceH» 
tqld iJieiii Jat the K.ing,, out of his nieer Qrac^ 
relcafed ui^io the Commons "fiooo7." Parcel ,df tfae 
Grant aforefaid ; vvheicupon it-was enadled thM 
iifiool fli^lihe levied in Mantjerofa/'j/i'fMf^ 
and be called by thai I'Jame. Aiid then thft 
Charcellcjr, in the King's ' Name, aed aj W™ 
Lieuieiiani» adjoum'd ihe laid Batliamentj ffOf^ 



Of ENSLANa 



3^3 



har Day to (he 20th of February enfning, at KirgEdwudlv. 
Yirk. 

At which Time and Place being again allem- 
blcd, Wil\imn{f) Bifliop of Linaln^ by Com^ 
itiand of Wi\liam{t) Archbifhop of Ytri, the 
King's Commillioncr, by Letters Patents, held' 
Ihe faiJ ParliafDcnt, and adjourned it over from the 
find Day, to the firft Day of May next enfuing, 
at York as aforefaid. The Reafon fop this jail: Ad- 
journment is laid, in ihg Abridgment, to be hccaufe 
alatfome Confpiracies and Rebellions being raifed- 
aga'mftthe King in GkcefteTftsin, he waaobliged 
16 go in Perfon to fuppreisthem. 

Onchclirft of ^ffy ihe Lords and Commons amw Regat 
■*6rt; again affembkd, in the great Hall, within ■^ifiir 
rtie Palace of the Archbifhop at Tark. The At York. 
King's Letters Patents were read, conftitutiog 
3loA appointing Richard Earl of Warwick and the 
Eafl of Saliibary, his Commiffioners to hold and 
Continue the faid Parliament, from the faid firft Day 
of May to the 25th Day of November followingi 
and upon reading thereof the Abbot of Fstwtain'ft 
ttf CommilTion under the Privy Seal, adjourned 
rhe fame accordingly. The Caufe of which laft 
Adjournment, is alTigned to be, that the King was 
biifily employed, in the moTeNsriieni Parts, for tha 
fupprcfling of Rebels, and Defence of the King- 
dom againft a foreign Invafion. 

On the 2;th of Ncvenib^r, at the fame Place as 
before, the Parliament once more met, when the 
fameCommiflionets were appointed, to hold and 
{(Torogue the faid Parliament, from that Day to 
the 26th of January nextenfuing, at Wijimirifter, 
and the Abbot of St. Mary'i in York, by the King's 
Appointment, prorogued the fame accordingly. 

Thefe Interruptions and diftant Adjournments 
X 2 weie 

{f) There wi! no »'/l;;.™ Bilhop of Lhmh, jccording toLn 
Keve'iFi^i at thai Time, Juba ChiJvsTib tvuthuBiniop, 
^sd Uti, (o, Afns lui. 

(/) Tb« was mHiam Bmtbt, who &ti the nort Year, A-"^ 
1464 and was i'KctfAtihy Gccrg! Hevili, Bruther W the Earl of 



i 



3^4 7j^^ "Parliamentary History 

EijulUirtrfnr.wcrcoccalioneclbv iheUnfteadinels of the Times; 
Edward, ilio' in Pcjllcflion of tlie Crown, yet it 
w.isnot ib firmly fixed on his Head, but his Enemy 
JWar^ar;/ found means lofliake it. Some Aid) 
flic h.id from France, hul ihey were difcomfiiei] on 
their Landing in the North, by the Baftard Ogk. 
However, by giving up Berwid, and fome other 
Forircfle? on [he Borders, to the Scots, (be got fomt 
Forces in that Country, and marching inio Ntr- 
thumberknd with them, took the Caftle of Bflm- 
bwg, and paffed forward to ihe Biflioprick of 
Durham ; her Army daily increafing. But they 
EJwird drfeaii wcTC met WLfh, and defeated at Hegeliy- Motr^ bf 
^^^j^^^Kingfii/waii^; and another Army which was fol" 
'^'^ ' lowing with King Henry^ underwent the &nit 
¥iie at Htxbiirn, w Noribumbfrland ^ Hemyiiim- 
Kl^HoiTT fclf with much Difficulty efcaping. Shonly afiei 
tiSitaPiilmci. which, this unfortunate Prince came into Englad 
in DifguiJe ; but, being bcuayed, was apprehend- 
ed at Jftiddinglsn- Hall in Lancoflnre, as he lata: 
Dinner; from whence he was conveyed toZ^n- 
dm., with his Legs bound to the Stirrups, when 
he was arrefted by the Earl of Jf^arwick, anil 
committed Prifoner to theTmtJ^r. 
TlitPirfimtnt The 26th o{ January being come, the Parlij- 
to°'Sft«tr"'ne'" '"^ ^' ihjimin/ler, according to the laS 
A^romsna, Prorogation. And now we find that they had 
"s'^'^^'^'^fc Time to do Eufinefs } and the very firft Ad ibey 
J u - ) 137 .jfc. ^^^1 y^jj ^gg j^ gj,gjjj ^ Supply to the Kin", 

which wns done too in a very effeflual and un- 
ufual Manner. For, the Commons, widi ibe 
Afletitof the Bifhops and Lords, granted to the 
King, during Hi Lift, the Subfidies following: 
Firrt. 

' Tonnage and Poundage of every Engh^ 

* Merchant, for every S.ick of Wool 33 j and + L 

* For every J+o Wrrol fells -i-^i.^d. Forevctj 
' Laft of H.des 3 /. 6 j. 8 ii. Of every Merchiri 
f Stranger, whether Denizens or not, for every 

* Sack of Wool, 3 /. 6 i. 8 d. For every Lalt rf 

' HiJft 




0/ E N G L A N D. 335 

• Hides, iA ij J, 4 (/. Foreveryj40 WooUfellsKinjEdwudrr. 

• 3/. 6^.8 i/. with a Provifo only made, that 

• the Town of Calais, and the Soldiers in Garri- 

• fon there, may be viftualled and paid with 
" Part of the faid Subfidies according to a Rate 

• there ftated.' 
It was, alfo, ordained, 'That tlie Treafurer 

• Qf Calais be obliged, under a Penally, to ac- 

• count Yearly in the Exchequer ;' and that he 
' maydifpofeof all the Offices, under him, in 
■ the Town or Marches of Cj/j;V, to whom he 

• pleafcs, to hold the fame at the King's Will,' 
TheGovernment andStaple of Calaii, having 

been often mentioned in the Courfe of thefe Eo- 
quries,il will notbeamifsin this Place, to give fome 
Account of it out of the Memoirs of Philip dt 
Ccmminss. That Author tell us, ' That this was 
" the richcft Jewel in the EiigUJh Crown, and the 

• moft profitable Government in Chrijlendiim, if 

• not in the whole World. That he was tfiete 

• feveral Times, during the DiiTerences between 

• the Houfes of Turi and Laniajler, and was told 
' by the chief Officer of ihe Staple for Cloth, that 

• he would willingly farm the Government of 

• the Town, at fifteen Thouf^nd Crowns, per 

• Annum; for the Governor of Cakh receives 

• all Profits on ifiat Side of the Seii, has the Be- 
' nefit of Convoys, and the entire Difpofal and 

• Management of the Garrilbn (a).' 
And, in another Place, (he fame .^-.'/iar tells us, 

« That it is almoft incredible what prodigrous Re- 
' turn for their Wools, the Merchants make 

• twice every Year from that Place.' 
But to proceed, Next, came on the At- 
tainders of feveral more Perfons_ of Quality, and 
others, who werefldinor lakcninihelate Bailies; 
particularly Hsmy Biui'.fort. late Duke of Samer- 

Jity was attainted for raifing War againft the King, 

and joining with /i'«of VI. at the Battle of i/i'jf- 

X 3 ■ ham, 

(u) t« Ktmiir^i'ii Phi!, it CtmnuiUB, Livreui. Ctsf. \1. 



^3.6 The Tariiamentary HisroKV 

iu«Ej™div '^'n> in ''i'^ County of Northumifland, on liie 
■** ■gth Day of M^y laft pad. 

Sir kelfib Piircy Ktiighi, was alfo aiiamted for 

delivering up the Kin^s'Caflles of 'Bamburgh and 

'Dunjianburgh lo Htnry, and for railing "War 

againft the Kiiig at the "Battkat Hegeky-MeeKt 

in Nsrtkimkrland- OR the Day of the Feaft oFSu 

]^ari, laft pail -(;(), 

MoreAttjimfcn Sir HumphTiy NevtU,'$\T Henry Bel/ingbam, 

8|jinfl Hury'i 'in T^amat PhUipi, -Koi^ts, many other Efquires, 

FoUoiven. Gentlemen and Yeomen, were Jikewil'e atuinied 

for taking Part with H^niy i\,.Bamkurgh, 

Edmund Beaufort and ^ohn £.eaufjir.l^ Broiher,; 
io the faid Duke of ^omrfet. Sir Wstliam Cane, 
alias Caree Knt. andothefSi were alfo attainted 
for adiieting to Margaret late Quean ,of-En£ii«i/. 
Some m,ore of leHer Note are mention'd ; jjid, 
to all the .above named Perfona, as th.e SmovJ 
fpeakf, the;Ki^ had granted .Pardon iniheficft 
Year of hisReign, ,And, it was eaaSteji, Xhac 
.the Attainders of tbc faid Duke of Sjimfrfit, Hum' 
pbiey Nevile, Ralph Beircy,, Henry BeU'ttighaa^ 
and otheis, made, jtnnt Megm i. Qm^ ^ndj 
and that the ReftitMlim to them made JhaU ie w'ti, 
A Proclamatiori, alfo, was ordered lo^iffuad' 
out againft feveral .KnJghls, iGentlem'eii, and 
Others, byName, wbolTadefcap'd,froai:dje Bal^ 
ties, Thatif iJjey did not yield themfilves to the Sinft 
Mercy by futh a Day, theyjhmmjiaud.attmtaed^ 
High Tr^nfun, and mtir the.Pains of the/ami' 
An Aft of Re- Then an Afl of Refumpiior iwas .pafs'dt 
fompiii-'n. whereby the King took into tis Hands ^lI'MaQ* 

ner of Hereditaments belonging lo ttc Crowa*^ 

the 

(ir) This Sir Ralfb Firrcj ii <itliil>n.iti by all,, or mod lo .... 
EigUfe mttanua, for Awm%ita.ie\y tt this BiiiJe, and withtbcb 
Words in his Month, / bjvc faicd 'lU Eivi in <•>/ Briafi j m«- 
tog ihe Oath tbil be hid /wem to Ktt\% Htniy. tUit, by the 



f( Atiaimln-, it Itrrns to »]>peiir that lie b»d bfcii piilty of « , 

of Treichety, in ddiicrinE up turo diUs, whicjihi: )uii iKOidH 

tniftidwilh thslctrpingofbyKingfrfiefl'rf. And Hull, in^ 



Cbmiilr confiimi this. By faying that lie foigot th»t 

had before abindonrd King Hmry in Wg utmofl Ncc(jrity, wd fulhi 
jniK^d himfelf to King Edvmrii, ^-' — '■ 



L 



0/ E N G L A N D. 317 

_ hePrincipaliiy of Wales, tlic Duthles of CcrA-^^^i^^^t^^^ 
ttal and hamaj^tr, ' and Clic Eaitd^im of Chtfter \- * -^ i 

from the Feaft of the Pcrificiijon of ourLadylaffi 
before, in fuch 'UTanner ns be had,* oi' (iughi to' 
have had, on the +fh DSy of March, 'in the fii# 
Year of his Reign j any Letters Patents, or' 
Grants, to the contrary notwilhftanding. Arid, 
ifat all Grants, Leafes, Wt. niadfe by the Kinjf,' 
bCTore the faid FeaH, of any Hcreditanients be- 
longing to hi. Duchy of Terkf 6t Earldom of 
Mard, be alfo void ; bilt with many Pro-' 
rifocs. 

The iaft AG of this Parliament, that we think" 
propcr to mention, is, That vhereas the Sum 
of j2,S3i,/. was due to the Mayor and Com- 
pany of the Merchants of the Staple of C^ilnisy 
the King, by the Auihoiity of Parliament, in or- 
der to content them and difcbarge that Debt, af- 
figned them a Power to rake a Yearly Rate out of 
the Sublidy oii Wool, until full Payment br 
ihade. 

There were feveral Statutes made, in this nnd 
the preceding Seffions of this long Parlianienti 
for the Encouragement of the Woollen Manu^ 
fadlory, and Tr^de in general ; which the Rc^ider^ 
if he pleafes, may find in the Stalute-Boaks y 
it being needlels here to take any further Notice' 
of them. One Attor two, ji^weveT, deferversumptuvyLjivs, 
mention, wh'ch was to reftrain the cxceffi^e Va- 
nity then ufed_in Drefs or Apparel ;■ which^ not-' 
withftanding the Detirudion ^d'Miferylhe Ci- 
vil Wars had occafion'd, ■ Was grown to a very'- 
great Height. One Thing, in' particular, was, 
ihe extrtivagant Way'ihe People then had got of 
^dprning their Feet. T\-\ey wore the Beaks, or 
Pikes, of their Hioes fo long, ihat it incucnbred 
Iliem in their 'Walliriig, and they Were forced to 
tie thciii uptotheiflCnccs. The Oentiemendid. 
rt with Chains of Silver, or Silver gilt ; and thofe 
who could not, afford to"be a,t thai Charge-; with 
,^rt|l- 'Iiaces^j TiusJidicuIoui Taftiion had been in 
X-f. fonW 



ga8 7be Tarl'tatnetttary HistoFvY 

itipiIJwMdnr. fome Mcafutc ufed, ever fince Richard the HtS 

Time; bill theie enormous Pilteswere now, f^^" 
Adl ot" Parliament, curtailed lo two Inches ; u 
(ter a Penalty both to the Shoemaker aoJ t 
Wearer iy). 

Likewife, during one of ijiefe Seflions of Pap 
llament, a Convocation met at ZiffWo/;, inwhii^ 
the Clergy very willingly gave a Tenth to tlv 
Crown i in Acknowledgment for an extenCvi 
Charter lately granied them. And here, a Coai 
plaint being made of the Vioiation of Sanfluanci 
the uimoft Cenfures of the Church were decrea 
againft thofe, who fhould drag any Perfonsoa! 
ot Churches or other priviledg'd Places, and carrj 
them to Prifon, There was, ahb, a Conftiim 
tion pafs'd, for the ReguUiion of the CIctevI 
Habits (2). ^^^ 

After the DifTolution.of the laft Parliament, u, 
meet with no other Summons for, three Years] 
during which Time Ed-ward'^ AfFaiJs were k, 
EJwirdma "- ^^w '"to a Very prccarioas'SiiuatioJi. The 1_ 
the Lidy'oJ^.' of fVarwick, his grealeft Friend, had becn,di^ 
graced in an Embally to the Frmch King, to coft 
dude a Marriage between ihe King of Etiln^^ 
and his Sifter, whilft Edward was adually coai 
fummating one al Home, with a Widow Lad/H 
and one of his own Subjects (fl). The Eatl, fioia, 
a fail Friend, became, on this, Edward'& bitteiei 
Enemy ; and returning to England, had the m 
Fortune, by Surprize, to take Kiiig EdwaraS^^ 
ibncr, and fent him, as fuch, lo his Caftlc of j^, 
dkham in Tirkflnie. Here, being lie nderly gugn 
ed, the King found means to make his Efcape 
snd foon after drove the Earl of IP'arujitk wjti 
the King's Brother GiCTgi D\ikeo( Clarence, whi 
had ajJo deferred his Iniereft, out of the 1 
dom. But, returning foon after, with Fore 

, /*«. 4. EJ. IT.' Cap. 1 

, I. p. fiSo. ^ ' 

ihtb 'Gray, the ReliQ of Sir yobg i 

iidinat rh^BattfeofSt. jIlbiin'ioDYimi Hnty'i Sidi.'. Sh, 

Uen a M»id of Honour lo Queen Margartl, and Was terielf 



'djf'E N G; t'A'ND; ''^"^iiV' 



it iRet 



ward to fi, 



>-.Kia|EiinTdIV^ 



: fr«f A King, they refl'Jc^ £ 
Extremiiy, that he, in his Tui 
■was forced to fty the Kingdom; and /frwiy, be-, 
ing rdeafed -frcm a long Confinement, was- once 
more feated on the Throne. 

In the Interval of ihefs Comtnolions, and vari- 
ous Turns of Fortune, we find that a Parliament 
was fummoned, in the Year 1+67, by Wriis, 
dated ai [f^ejlnm/ler, the sSth Day of Pebrttary, 
to meet at the iame Place, on the third Day of 
yune following (*)■ George Duke of Clarence-, 
^nd Rkhord Earl of Jl'ar'wici and Sarum, are here 
both fammuned as ufual. 

In the Prefence of the King, fitting on the 
Throne, in the Painted Chamber of the Palaceof^'^j^'en! 7. 
liyiminliir, and of the Lords and Commons, Kfw^s^iL&tT. 
ffHHam {c), B\(hop ot Li/icolrt, in the Abfenceof 
George Aichbilhop of K/jf, Chancellor of 
England, by the King's Command, declared the 
Caufe of the Summons j after which, he ordered 
the Commons tocbufe their Spc-iker, aiidprefent 
him as ufual. Accordingly, ^n John Say Knight, jjrTohnSavtho 
■was prcfented, and accepted by the Kinir. fcn apoitn. 

After which, iheKing, with his own Mouth, 
made the following Oration to ihs Commons. 

3oftn^a)>.aniJj'E&ir5 come to tljismv Court 
of t^arlJamenc tat iije ^ommcng of tl;^ 
mp Kcalni. 

Tlg(2 (Caufe toftj" 3! ^^^^ fa'O ano fiitnnicn; id«-jrd'! Sptmh 
ED tIjiB mp vrfftnt f arliammt, is, that*°'''''''"''='"'^i«- 
fpurpofe to li'ie upon mine didh, ano not to 
arse mp S'ubfato but in grrac siiO uramt. 
aufes, concerning mere iIje CUcale of ttjeme 
(eVozsf, ano alfo tlje tDeftnc^ of ri)Ein ano of tijitf 
rap IRcafme. ratljrr tl)fln ffliiic ottne 5&lrafurp, 
aa iKretofj^B hp CommDns of tljis ^aiKi Ija^' 
beene Done, anD bo^ne unto mp ittroBt^nitoja;; 
in time of neeo; toljcrnn ^ trufl rljat pm^irvSf.- 
ano sXL tlje Commons of tl;u( mp !tLatiD tiitB i<e 
a* 




3^0 TheTarliamenMfy HisTort 

&M tmorr ans EtrnDe unto nu in in TucI] cafrs u 
IjETrtofti^c anp Commons fjatt licni to siwof 
irtp'^Brojfchitoirrj. Sno ft? the goon Mff, 
UmOficfir, anil triw IFjsTttf ttiat rer ttafap (wjnf, 
continufti, ano (betoct) to mr at all timeic fjereto* 
fo^p, % riiantte pou as ijeartilv 30 3 ran: aifo 
31 truH ^ct brill rontinue in time toming i fc; 
toljK^ tip t[)E<Srar£ of CBoD "gi lljalt be to pm aB 
8000 ano QFacioiis a )^ing. anci retghe iS 
ri^jteoaSp upoii ^ou as cWr Otti an;) bT mp 

froSfnito?0 ujJCn CofrimCinB of tijifif mp 
eahnc in ■5:avtif jiafl, airti fliaH aifo in tm 
of nreir apjilv m)* i&t/fim fo? t^ ttttaic sift 
©FfEmt of pon, ana of tijt« Wip Kpalnw, rtx 
fpa^ins m? 13oDv no^ ?Lift fw ani* 'ktopv^ 
rtifrf mi"s^ ((ajpfn to t^ faWK (<i}. 

An Afl of Refumpiion was palled, the fame in 
Eftefl as Ihc laft ParliaroeM ; alfo another that the 
Kingfhould for ever enjoy all luch Herediiamenu 
as Richsrd 0uke of Kri, poCefJcd on ihe ^otti 
Day oi Deccmlir, Anno if Jienty V i. any Grant 
to the contrary nolwithltinding (e). 

Richard m^es. Lord imou^hby Son and Hcit 
of C/) Leonard IVellis Lord fVdkughbyy was re* 
ftored in Blood tn the faid Lord Leansrdt and to 
al[hiaHerediiamenta,notwithftanding the Attain- 
der made againft the faid Limard, Anno i. hi- 
v/ard IV. As rfas, alio, Sir Thomas Tytjtani, 
Koighr, and his Attainder made void. 

Theft were all the Tranfaflions of ihs firfl 
Seflionef this P^rlismeot ; for, on the 5th Day 
of July, Robert (g) Bifhop of Each ana mill, 
then Chancellor, in the Prefcnce ofilic King, 
Lords and Commons, firft anfwered certam Peti- 
tiom 

(J) From thf Pjiliamcnt-Roll, 7 EJvi. IV. — Thii Sptecb li 
guuted by Sir Hrnry Ydvirlon, in hii AgumiM ccnttniiielaf^- 
litta, 7 ?flt. I, as an Ackncwlfdgmait on the Part of tht10B| 
tliBtheii3d(ioRi|ht to anpoff at li'is own W[JI, and that tlie S*- 
JEit had a certain and diltinfl Ptopnty {raca that wliicfa ym tt 



(<] Tlie Day tic v3s Cain at the Battle of mjaftSJ. 
U) Slain at the Battle of TiKitsB. 



■1 F^;*, art. 




Oy E N G L A N D. 

tioTS from the Lower floufc, and tjien thanled ickieCfhnndl^. 
tbemin the King's Name, for the Sdluteof Re* 
furaption ; alluring them, that the King had ptcf 
yidfld for Calais j had taken the like Care fof Irf 
land and IVales; and (uriher, that hii Majcfly de* 
&ed there might be a due ExLCuticm of the Laws. 
After which, by the King's Commnnd, he pro- 
rogued the PatliiuneinT from the fame Day and 
Pkce, to the 6th of Nevifabir next enfuing at 
a^adiiig. And frnm theoce, the faid CbaticcUoT j^^^ Rjgnj j. 
again pror-og\icd this Parliament, by the King's 1*68. 
Command, from tJig faid 6th of Navmhr, to At Reiding. 
the 6ih Day of May, at Rejdiiig sforefaid. But 
iM-ey did not Ct ai thai Place, for ibc Chancellor, 
at tbeir ncKi Meoang, adjourned them from the 
fiCh of Misy to ibe » aih ol the lame Month 2\ 
Ifyimnjlcr. 

TJiete frequent Peoro&niona -Kae owing to p„„.oguoi „ 
tiia Unqtijeliiefsi of tlje Timts, which were far Weftminftei. 
from being (etilfwl zs yet ; bin, at this, liit Ad- 
JQUtrmieni, the Parliament ftt to do Buiinefs, and 
■faelides paling fe^-eral bencticral AQa for the ftjr^ 
iherEncourHgemeni of the Woollen ManufaOure?, 
Etft. forae SubJidies were granCed, which will be 
ieen in iheir proper Place. For, .tjve Days after 
iliis Meeting, the K'mg I'cnt for the Commons, 
kato the Houfe of Lords, when the Clianalkr^ by 
Jiis Command, i^iaV-s. to the whole Bady to this 

• ' Piirft., he began wiili Juftkc, and inftanc'd 

* the good Efleds of the lame. He nextdedar- 

* «d, that the three Eflates comprehended the 

* Government of this Land ; the Prehemincnci; 
'* whereof was due to ibe King, as Chief, the 

* facoBd Lo the Bifliops and Loid:, and the third 

* to the Commons.' 

* He then put them in Mind, in what poor E- 

* ftale the King found the Crown ; dcfpolled of 

* the due Inheiiunce i wafted in its Treafures ; 
' Ihc Laws wrecked ; and the vjhole, by the 

in a Maoner fuhvericd. -Add Jo 
* this. 




331 TheTar/iamentaryKi sTQur 

KtaiSdntdlv.* (his, the Lofs of the Crown of Francr, the 

* Dutchrei of Nermandy, Gafaigny, and Guitmi, 
' theancient Patrimony of the Crown of fffgW 

* loft alfoi and furiher, he found it involve^ 

* in a War with Dttimark, " " " 
' Bntatff, and other Parts, and even with th^ 

* old Enemy of France.' "■ 
* Then defcending he told them, that the Ktnf; 

* had appeafed all Tumults within the Realmj. 
J ^.,~ * andplanted fuch inward Peace, that Lawanl 

■ ■ * Juftice might be extended. That the King h4 

*"^ * made Peace with 5i«/flW; that the Lord IVn' 

* Urs was negotiating a League with Spoim\ 
' Dtnmark, fo as to open a free Commerce wi 
' ihofeCountries. But, what was ftill thegreat^ 

* eft he had allied himfelf to the Dukes of Burffu 
' dy and Brliany,, twQ moft powerful Prircesj i 

. * fuch Sort as they had given the King ihefltong- 

' eft Affiirance of ading vigoroufly againft Front ' 

* for the recovering of that Kingdom, and oth., 

* the King's Patrimonies ; of which, fincc A^ 

* made little doubt, the King thought propernol 
' to omit fuch an Opportuniiy, and fuch a oik ip 
•■ never happened before. And, that his K^j^ 

* might fee this Kingdom as glorious as any flj 

* his Predeceflbrs ever did, he was ready to adve^ 
' turchisown Perfon in fo juftaCaule. Lafll^ 

* he told them, that the King had called thisParliiP 
' ment to mal:e them acquainted with thefe Mafr 

* ters, and to defire their Advice and Affiftance.' 
The Anfwer the Commons made to this pithV 

Ha, ngue, was, immediately, to grant a la^ 
A SiiLfidy. Subiidy of two Yenits and two Fifteenth^ to K 
levied on the Laity. Referving, only, -12,000. 
to be dedufted out of it for the Relief of poorde 
cayed Towns. 

The Senate having thus liberally contributed B_ 
the Supplies of the State i the next Thing ih^ 
went upon, was to confirm, by their Authoriiyi 
the King's Patents granted to his new Queeil 



EHzabtth, for eibblifliiDg her Dower. 



That the 
Part 



^rart 



0/ E N G L A N D. m 



of the faid Dower, afl5gned to her by LettcraKi^EiiiwaiT. 

Patents under the Seal of the Duichy of Linca/fer, 

{hould be valid ; tho' there be no LiVery and Seifin 

of the fame: Ami that the Queen might perfbn-. 

ally plead and be impleaded in her oWn. Name; < Mjtd- ^:^^ 

lo which are added thcNamesof ihejcvcral Ma- zfHi -.'■•^m 

nors and other Hereditaments, aligned to her Ma- 

jefty, in the Dutchyofianfi^fr, andelfewhere, 

under the Gieat Seal, which were all confirmed by 

Parliament. 

In Confideration of the Sum of lo,ooo /. paid ■■!■■ 

in Part of a greater Sum, due by the King, ■ '''"' 

to Charles DuMe of Burgundy (A), on the Mar- 
riage between the faid Duke and the Princefs 
Margaret, the King's Sifter, by the Mayor and 
Company of the Staple of Calais ; the King, by 
Letters Patents granted, that they Ihould be re- 
paid outof the Subfidy on Wools ; which Letters 
Patents were, by common AITent, confirmed. 

Many good Laws were made this Parliament, 
for the Encouragementof the Woollen Manufac- 
tories (^c. as is before mentioned j but we refer 
the Reader to the Statute Books, for more Infor- 
mation about ihem. One Thing in the Abrldgi- 
ment cfthiRecords is remarkable enough, ' That 

* a Bill was brought in this Parliament, whereby 

* all fuch as Ihould rob any Church of any Pax, 

* Cope, Granel, Mafs book, or any Other 

* Trinket, (whereof, fays IVilUam Prymie, the 

* whole Rabble is named,) (hall be deemed a 

* Traytor, and be burned for the fame; and that 

* all fuch Perlbns flial! be deprived of the Bene- ; .,«a 
' fit of their Clergy ; that an Appeal forReftim- ''^ 

' lion may, alfo, lie, and that all Juftices of '** ' 

* Peace may enquire of the fame,' The Pub- 
liflier remarks that by the P-eamble to thefe Moti- 
ons, it feems that this Bill was made againft the 

Lollards ; 

{b) Thii Cbaria, then Duke of Bargundy, wu very nottr itlu- 
ed lo the Houfc of LaiKafiir; for Pbilifpa, DmghtM Kojih* 
Duke of hancafiir, woa manycd to Jdm King of Ftnugei, tjj 
whom iic had HhMj, Mother lo tliis Orarh, 



5J4 TheTdrliavientd^Hi^ro'kX 

KfctM*«afv. '-"'/■''•i V but the King's AnfwCT to icwa^J 

TheCii'il Wiri, wlrichhad been carried od( 

Inn^aml wilh Tuch Fury by bolh P,irties, wtre nc 

Bft«ri SwaJ tovetaran End; for, Iboii after theDifiohationI 

isHt the King- ihijparliMivenr, frf/wiJ'i/wM obliged, for his o 
Safeiy, to loave ihe Kingdom. 7'his ha|»pe08 
is Iht Year 1470 ; and, in the Month of OflS 
btr, this Yeflr, the Earl of fflinvici releaft 
King Henry from his Imprifoinnenr, and 1. 

HcnrfVl. rt. W68 oncc mote reftored to the Engli/h Crown 
However, we find that Writs of Summons, wen 
otlt ?n Kingfifiw iiri'a Name, dated at ife/lminjlet 
Aitgufl, io,[q. BdvjardlV.]{ar a Parliament t 
rtii*l ittiri, September zz. following. But, : 
Stop-Wag ]f)at to (his Meeting by other Writs, dat 
cd S^tmter 7th, the fame Year; and the Rca 
Jbn of' the Prohibition is given in the Body a 
ihe Inftrumetit to be, becaure the King wasc^ 
ttinly informed That Rebels, Enemies at Home^ 
and Foreign Enemies, both from Fi-ance and Seal 
Idnd, had entered this Kingdom in a hoftifeMan 
ref, S,nd with armed Force bad afluaUy invade 
ir,-£3-t()-). 

Hiftorima [k") inform us that after the grCL 

AiinoRfEnL48. Eat! pf lf-'arivki 'hz.A raifed KmgHettry frontg 
H70. Prifoh to a Throne, from wlwnce he was called. 

AcWdlminncr. Tti S^tUf Up find PuHsr downof Khigi , a IVtia- 
ment was called to meet at If'ejiminjier^ Nffiittfibtr 
76, 1470. wherein nothing was denied \ 
the prevailing Pariy thought lit to au'horize. Foi 

idwatd dtchreJ htfc King Edward was declared a Tr.iifcr to h 

Mbe.nufujpcr,(if^p^fy.. ^^ UfurperoC the Crown ; and hac^ 
all- his Goods confifc^ited ; the like Judgment pif-i 
fed againrt his Brother Richard Duke of Glofifltrl 

{t) S"'^, certitaSiitjUur hprMamur, S,Ma, ftAtifl 

^Jiri-farll neflri, Rrgmium Franti* H Scotiif, Rrgntm lajlr 
Aatlt^ 'tcfiililn- ingrcdi a imuJiri fr^cmail, I'i arjiiiiliff^tK 

Ccllm hath Bivcn ui the Namct of the Peers lusunuocJ ca \ 
PsrlfjiTfiit. 

{() Ha/rsOiRin. FoLccu. Crfl/rw's P. 691. acJ Uath-^ 
in KtnBI P- 446. 



I 0/ ENGLAN-D .ns 

■ Sfli all his Adherents ; of whom, John Tipuft Earl ^^ hsmj v\. 
Qi^arc^tr, Lord Ijigh Cohfliible '^iEngknd, and 
Lord t)ej)Uiy of k^ii^, was beheaded, . All tha 
Stattit-es made by Sing EdmarS we're revoked i 
alliBeAiiamders,agaii)fl'theE^rlspfO*/W,?raT 
hrsicy and many others, reverfed : the Crowns of 
Eaglj/id and France^ entaijed on Xing Ileury and 
his Heirs Male; and, for Want of fuch, unto 
George Duke of Clarence find his Male ■ Iflue, and 
be was declared immeiia-le Heir to his FalheE 
Richard Duke of Tari. Laftly, the pari 9f ^tir-. 
H/iVifjVyas made Prot^ftpr fjf the Kingf^om, and 
C^dri'^cf his Son-in-liaff"-jWnd in Commifhoa 
Wilh him, 

" ,An Hiftorian of fonie Eminence f/), is veryjjj^^^,,„ ^ 
fipwtin his Remarks on iho. Ait' to entail the new Stttkmaic 
Crownin the Manne; ^forefaid; by which he fays, 
the Earl of //^arwwi.^ew-gl^rjot only the Excent, 
tint the Infolcncy of his &ieit(iefs j as if, adds 
he, the Title of ^he .Kin^om appertained to 
them, who werp niareft in Alliaiice to him, tjot 
next in Blood to the Crown. This ^Cben 
goes on and writes, ' For, if the Juftice of i(M- 

* (ojler's Claim had the Preheminence for Want 

* of Ifliie in King Henry, why fbuuld not the 
' Sovereignty fall to (he Duke of Smerfti ? Or, 

- ' ii iliac Line was crooked in refpeft of ; fiaflar- 

* <Jy, why not to the Houfe of Psrlugaj^ with- 
' ■-'■■■ ]>"■ Hlemilh, deiiending irom y</hn o( 
' '■.- . 'the Houfe of rerif had ihebeC- 
' ter ■■s.f.Georgc Duke of Clarenee 
' then 1l '■=cond in the Entail? Or, 
' iftheRigu; ! '■:-w'uk himfelf, (for his 
' Power ordert.' =d allj why was the 
' Kingdom to delL, .' lothe young- 

'* £r Daughter J But j.. " :iL'.]\.ii> .-. mbicion never 
' knew how to give an a^. ■'■■ i t.i^' ■ Sn. 

It would be unpardonablLi -i.e.-, -.' Lmitthc 

Refleftjons ofM Rapin Thirst.::, \.^ : v..c Coa- 

duft of this Parliament, fmce thii, m.i fcveral 

more fuch, we have quoted from lh.;[ Author, 

evidently 





35^ The 'Pat^fta^ieHtAry HiSTokr 

Kfa|HeRc;n. tvidenily fliew, thai- heV-as no Friend to Parfia* 
ftlenlary Ptocecdings. He -rtrites, ' Tlui thr 

* contrary RefolutiODs of Parliaments, in «■ 

* gard to the QyarfeVfietwecn the Houfcs of Tert 
' and Lama/Jet-, cleurly (hew that ihcfe Aflem>i' 
' bties adled not with Freedom, but were fway- 

* ed tiy the Events which happened before tlieif 
' lieliberations. It is in cain id urge, therefore,' 

* the Authority of Parliaments in Support of the' 

* Rights of eitiier Houfe, Their DEterminailonS 

* are, properly, of no Force; fince they had not 

* the Liberty to judge according ro their Under- 

* ftinding ; unlefs it'isfaidthat their Underftand-' 
' ing dJrefled them always to (ide with ihe' 
'■ftrongeft.' And, upon the A^ to entail the 
Crown, in Default of Hi'ir Male from Htnry^ 
en the Duke of Clartna, ^<. Oat ^utbsr goes • 
eii and fays, ' That liere would be a large Field, 
*--1o expatiate on the unlirriited Authority of 

* Parliaihent, if lliis Statute hud been made with 
'•Freedom, and after mature Delilie ration. But,' 

* it'is eify to fee the little Freedom there was in 
' this Parliament, if iiisconfidercd, that this Aft' 
' was only a bare Confirmation of the Earl of 

* TVanuick's Engagements. Moreover, out of 
' pure CondefcenJion for the Earl, or rather by' 
' hia Direflioii, and contrary lo the Laws and 
»- Curtums of the Realm, ir was not fcrupled to' 
' deprive the Daughters of ihe Hcule of Lancaf- 
' ter, of a Right enjoyed by the PrinceDesof the' 
' Royal Family, ever fince the Nurmari Con-' 
' qdeft.' Thup'adds hf, ' By a hafty Refolution, 

* was eftabliflied in England 3. \i\nA oi Salic hzw^ 
' which the Efiglijh had To much cenfur'd and de-' 
' rided, "f/hen Edv/ard\\\. zrA PkiUp deVakh^ , 
' were contending for the Crown of France. 

* And, beiiiies, this Parliament manifeOly fpp- 
' pofetl Henry's Inability, and confidcred him 

* only as the Shadow of a King, by coDfti- 
' tuting the Duke of Clarence and the Eatl of 

* ffarwici joint Governoi^ of the Kingdom.' 
What' 



0/ E N G L A N D. 337 

What we can pick up elfe, relating to ihe Pro-Ki^g Hmij VI. 
ceedingsof this Pdrliament, is from an old Chro- 
nicle (a) which informs us, that it began at '%?- 
minjlir at the Time aforefaid, and from thence 
was adjourn'd to St. Patifs Church, Londen, where 
it continu'd till Cbrijimns. That an Alderman 
of the faid Citv, call'd Sir Thomas Coot, who had 
been tried for Treafon, Anno 7. EdwardW^ and 
acquitted ; but for Mifprifion had been imprifon- 
ed, feverely fined, and oiherways ill us'd ; now 
exhibited a Bill of Complaint, in the Houfe of 
Commons, againft the Lord Rivers and others, 
who had been the occafmn of his Troubles. He 
peiition'd the Houfe that he might be repaid his 
Lofs and Damage, out of the faid LoTQ'a Eftate, 
to [he Value of 22,00,0 Marks. It is likely, adds 
our Hiftoriaii, that it would have been granted to 
him, if King Hemy'i Affairs had proiper'd ; for, 
this Sir Thamai Coot, v/.is a Member of the Houfe 
of Commons J a gond Speaker, of great Eoldnefa 
and Vivaciiy of Wit. Bjt he h:id beiier have 
been quiet, for he fmarted much worje for it af- 
ler wards. 

We have been more careful to collefl what 
Hiftorians have left us concerning the Proceedings 
of this Parliament, fince there is not one Word 
of all this Mitter on Record. Probably, if thefe 
Proceedings were entered on the Rolls, Edward, 
who foon after was reftorcd, cauled them to be 
crafed and abrogated. Dagd.-ik, indeed, hatii 
given us the Summons to this Parliament, the 
Date of which is Aum 49, Henry VZ. [9 £if 
10 Regis Edward IV.j wherein the firft Writ to 
the Peers is direfled lo Henry' s raoft dear Coufin 
Georgi Duke of Clartna, who had then revolted 
from his own Family; but iherc is no Mention 
at all of it in the Mridgmeiit sf the Records. 
. However, ihis Dream of Regal Power in W^wrjp 
lafted but a fmall Timefi) ; for the Fugitive 

Vol. H. Y Edward 

(b) Fsiiai'i Chnn. Fol. aig. 

(b) The \£ti of Suic wliitli are in the FaJ. Jug, make it ap- 
'geW by their Datei, that Htary'i reinflatcj Re(il Pow^ifted on- 

» ^.. If 



j 



• 



338 TbeTarliametttaryVLxiTovi 

KlntNcnrrVt hnvitig gained feme Aids from his Brotlier 
Law, \hc Du\ieoi Bwgimdy, and being promiW 
more in England, landed at Ravenjhurg in ?«i- 
fiire. At his firft: Arrival, he feem'd to laj i&le 
his Claim to the Crown ; pretending only to hii 
Rights as Duke of York; but, having pofleli'J 
EditudiciurTis, himfelfof thai City nnd got hi3 Friends abouthim, 
he loon threw cff that Mafk, and marching fee 
ward, wiih a now powerful Artny, was meliini 
joined by his Brother the Duke of Ckreacft '^^ 
a very confidwable Reinforcement. 

Edward, being now ftrong enough to cop 

with his Enemy tTie Earl of fP^arivuiy marcW 

on dire£tly for London -, and at his Approach the 

Citizens cpen'd their Gates to him ; the Earlof 

fVurwUi was not there, but peaceable Nenrj fell 

etice more into his Enemies Hands, The Eadi 

however, was advancing towards London, withi 

The Batiie of powerful Army, againft whom the warlike Ei- 

Birnei. ivard oppos'd himfeif ; and, at Barmt their Ar- 

inies meeting, a dreadful Battle enfued ; wbot, 

at firft, JVar'^'ici's good Fortune in War gj* 

him great Hopes of a compleat VitSlory j but, 1^ 

H«wy api''"^- ^ '^^'^' Miftake aiiiongft his own Men, the^"*^ 

rn Prifoncr, lud was changed, and Edward was vifloriobs, 

Ed«^ ttiiofd. ,j^ p^^j^ ^f j[,£. Eg,, of- ff^armci, and the 1. _ 

quefs of Montacute his Brother ; ten Thouftd 

Engajhrnen more, falling, on both Sides, at iA 

Ann,>.cr BattlJ Battle. In 3 few Weeks after this, another Bit- 

itTewlubury. tie was fought at Tewhflmry^ between Kingfif' 

•mard ard the mariial Quepn Margattt, wktft 

the Heroine waf, alio, defeated ; her Son Ptiort 

Edwatd made a Prifoner and deftroj'ed ; all ih 

Ncbiliiy and Gentry with her taken or fiain, sftl 

■> Arm); cut to Pieces. This Viflol 



was fcion after followed by the Death of the |M 
" - ' ' ' ...eTm 

by the Hands of Richard Duke of Glouccfttr, Elj 



lieury j 




fajd to have been murdered in the 
' " ■ ■ ard Duke of Ghuapn 

And thus dying as ii'wdl 



Edtvard's Brother. 



ibout Oa. the gtJi, to the 17th of Marc 
wnitn -id! arelaiJtobciLnc Auc iu«itats Pa 
Kyma--'. FltJ, jftc- Ti-tn, XI. 



] 



0/ E N G L A N D. 53^ 

the like Death as King RU/jard, proves that '^^'=*-"''^ 
Scripture- Maxim true. That Go&v:fils theS'ms of 
the Father! en the Children, even, unto the third 
ani fourth Gener alien. 

The gtim King of Terrors having thus fatiated 
himfelf with the Blood of (b many Princes and 
common Men, a while laid down his deadly 
Scithe, and England enjoyed a profound State of 
Tranquility. But, it was not till the Year 1472, 
and the 12th of this King, that wc meet with 
any more Parliamenta ; when Writs of Summons 
were ifl'ued out, dated at Weflminfler the ninth 
Day of Auguji, for a Parliament to meet at the 
fame Place on the fixlh of Oiloher following ; a 
Lift of the Peers, at the End of the late deftruc- 
live Civil War, may not be improper in this 
Place {c). 

Ihe King to his moft dear Brother George Duke ef 

Clarence, i^c. 
Richard Duke of Gk- John Earl of IViltJinre, p«'„^^"* "Ll-' 

cefler, Ralph Lord Grajlod, ward-s lUflo.a, 

John Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Lord Simpe, of *■""■ 
John Duke of Sufsli, Mojham, 
William Earl of Aran- John Lord Uemicharnp, 

dele, J"^" Lord Dudley, 

Henry Earl of Efex, Edward Nevile, Lord 
Edmund Earl of Kent, Bergavenny, 
Ralph Earl of Wejlmore- Reginald Lord Grey, of 

land, Wilton, 

Henry Earl of Nertkum- John Lord Strange, 

berland, Henry Lord Grey, 

Anthony iUrl Ryvers, John Lord fBivard, 
John Earl of Shretvf- Richard Lord ffejl, 

bury, 

Y 2 Walter 

[() Wefind, in tbi Public Aai, thatfAuBrrfaffemhled as ma- 
ay oftbe Lords Spiritual, and Tnnparal.aE were inot near LcaJcn, 
in the Parliament Chamber at W>fim«jitr, July 3. A<tno 1471. 
At this Meeting, a formal Oath was prepofed to them, to fwear 
Fealtj- to bis Snn Prince Edmiard, a5 his Heir apparent j which 
was talren and fubrcribed by the two Aichbifhops, ei^t Bilhops, 
aad all the Tempoial Unds and Knights there prcfent. 

JW, Ag. Tom. XI, P. 714. 



I 



I 



340 The'ParHamentarylriis'TO'e.i 

Kif.|Ea«»riiV.^a/«r Devtriux Lord tVaffer Blaunt Lori 



Ftrren. 
Rkbard Lord Scrape^ 

of Balim, 
Ralph Ssteler Lord Sud- 

Ihsmas Lord Lum/ey, 
Thomas Lord Stanley, 
Richard Fsnyi Lord />tf- 

Jahn Broke Lord Csi- 



Afountjoy^ 
If^ilUanJ Lord SfsHrfw, 
jffl^n Bourghchier Loii 

fu/it Baurgbehier Lorf 

f;>z lyarytiy 
John Sultan Lord JJb*- 

fViltism Lord HsAnji, 
;W///flm Lord Bfcif^, 
yj/in Lord Dynhsm, 
Ten Judges liy Name are alfo fummoned. 

^^j. This Parliament being aflembled, as aforcfeidi 

14.^ "' before the King in ilie Painted Chamber at ff^- 

Ai Wtftmioner. min/hr, Robert, Bilhop of Bath and 7^i//j, theo 

Chancellor, opened the Caufe of their Meeting! 

after which he dire^ed the Commons, as ufojli 

to choofe and prefent their Speaker : And IFslliM 

'^w '^h'"-^" ^^^'"i^""'' ^"5; ^^s chofen, prelented, and jc- 

Sp^cN ' °^"' cepted by the King for that Purpofe. 

The firft Thing we find that the Commons 
went upon was the Supply i and i^,ooo Archcn 
were voted, to ferve the King at their Cofts, to 
one Year j the fame to be leripd accort'ing lol 
Proportion out of ail Lands and Xenemenls- 
The Lords Spiritual and Temporal did, allb> lai 
thcmfelves, by Way of Grant unto the Kit^, 
A'dnenlarSort towarcls fumlfhing the Forces aforefaid, the lenih 
oiTax Part of one whole Year's Revenue of all and lin- 

gular their Lands and Pofleflions. 

TheOammons then, hy a long Proi^ftation dfr 
livered lo the Xing and Loriis, required that the 
Statutes made againft Riot% Maimenancies, Op- 
prelliont, and for regulatijig Labourers, may bi 
executed. And the lame Day, viz.. Nsv. 30111, 
the Bifhop of Rschefter, by the King's CommanJi 
rciurned Thanks to the Commons lor their GriDb 
^nd prorogued ilie Puiliameot from the JameCby 




O/ E N G L A N D. 341' 

to the 8th of Felruary next eaiuiost at /'^O^mM-KingidwaJrv, ' 

yfor. 

At this SeflJon the King's Letters Patents for 
creating Edward, his firft begotten Son, Prince 
of Wales ind Eirl of C/jefier,vfat confitmed by , 
Parliamem ; likewife the King's Letters Patents 
for granting and delivering to the young Prince 
the Hereditaments and oiher Appurtenances be- 
looging to the laid Principality and to the Dutchy 
cS Cornwall, was, by the fame Authoriiy, con--, . 
firmed.' This Prince was then about two Years his ddeft Sod 
old, the Queen having been delivcr'd of him, in Prio" of Wai«, 
tbe Sanfluary at WtJlminpT^ whilft the King was*"' 
»i Exile. 

Next follow fcveral AGs of Mercy in reverf- 
ing the Attainders of divers Perfons^ amongft 
whom Sir Henry Percie, Knight, as he is there ^^^^^^* 
filled. Son and Heir to Henry late Earl of Ner- 
thumbtrland (d), was reflored, in Blood, to the 
faid Earldom, and to all fuch Hereditaments as 
came into the King's Hands, March i, jtnn» g, 
EdwardVf. and the Attainder made againft the 
faid Earl Anno i, Edward IV. was made void. 
The Reader may obfeive that this Earl was fum- 
mon'd to this very Parliament. 

Ralph Nevile, Son and Heir to John late Lord 
Nevile -, Sir Henry Rcos, Knight, late Lord 
Roos of Hamkh [e)i and feveral more there na- 
med, have their Attainders reverfed,, and are re- 
fiored to their Honours and Pofleffions. 
' We Jind that this Parliament continued fitting . » . 
till thcSihDayof April, Anno if, Edward \\. ,4^ '' 
when the Cominpns granted the King one Tenth 
and one Ftftecr,th, rcferving out of it 6000/. tp 
be diilributed to certain decay'd Towns. And, 
it was ordained that the Money aviling from the 
'Fc.aths y;iven by the"Lo<ds in the iirft SelTion of 
this Parliament, be paid into the Hands of the' 
'f'reafurcr of England. Alfo, in Confideration 
of23«oooil due bytheKii^to the Mayor and 
Y 3 Merchants 

'\<D Fbi-i at the B»tt1e of TaKlm tn the LtKttfiiitii Mile. 



341 The Parliamentary History 

Klji(Edwarirv. Mctchancs of the Staple at Calais, the King 
'by a long Aft granted to them a FifUenthy in 
like Mannfr as in the Pairliament of the 7th of 
Edward IV. 

Aa Hiltorian writes, * That for Relief of the 
' King's greatNeceflity, a full Subfidy was gram- 
' ed J for all his mighty Fortunes fcrvcd, only, 
' to reward the Multitude of his Adherents ; an4 

* in Recompence of the Subfidy he granted them a 

* general Pardon. And indeed, by that he liberally , 

* repaid them ; for, by the late Civil Wars, the* 

* Lapfe into Treafon was fo univerfal, that fcarce 

* any Eftate could be fafe if Licence was given 

* to Informers, the Cormorants of a Common- 

* wealth, who fwallow much but never grow 

* fat i and lead of all advance what they moft 

* pretend, the King's Benefit (/). 

Several more Perfons, by Name, are now re- 
ftored in Blood to their Lands and Pofleflions, for- 
feited by Attainders j amongft whom the princi- 
pal was Sir Humphrey Daaes, Son of Thomas 
Dacres, and Brother to Ralph, late Lord Da- 
irn, flain at the Battle of Tcwten {g), who was 
Son and Heir to the aforefaid Thomas ; and all 
the fcveral Attainders againft ihe faid Ralph 
and Humphrey were made void. And, 
Tie parliamEnt On the 8ih Day of /fprii aforefaid, the Chan- 
P'^op'"^- cellor, after giving Thanks to the Commons for 
the Subfidy, by the King's Command prorogued 
the Parliament to the 6ih of 0£it>her following 
But, before they parted it was agreed and ordained, 

* That the King, on any urgent Occafion which 
' required their Attendance, liiight call and re- 
' allemble the f;iid Parliament, giving only, by 
' Proclamation, twenty Days Notice.' 

In 

Tud, wbere a CnnrebnM 



k 



ff) Uabinglsn in Kewna, p.459. 
(V) He WH kiticd in Saxior Church " 
wailsid over him with thii Infeription j 



'lactt hantilphus Dimimu dt Dilue ci 
BflkyPriitcife Haaico Sate, Ain 
Ole Mattii, v'JtUca, Oato'mca Dii 

PjiAKi'jj^i'fuViH^YarlE j Foi. LmJ, I7]fi. j 



' BflkyPriitcift Haaico Sate, A'ln Dim. M.CCCCX^q. 
XXIX Die Mattii, ladiiica, Otmimca Dit Palaiaium. Cujia A- 



0/ E N G L A N D. 343 

In the firft Sefllon of this Parliament, a Nob'e- KingEdward vi^ 
man caird Lewis De Bruges ^ a Netherlander^ 
I/ord of Gruthufe^ and Prince of Steinhufe^ came ^- ^ Bruges, a 
oyer into t^igland, and was receird by the King ^^^^'^'^^f^^ 
with all Demonftrations of Friendfliip. And, Windicfter. 
on the 13th of O^ober^ in the Houfe of Lords, 
was created Earl of Winchejler ; receiving, with 
the Title, the ancient Arms oi Roger de ^incy^ 
formerly Earl of the fame Place ; with an Addi- 
tion of the Arms of Englandy in a Canton. The 
Reafon of this fo extraordinary a Favour confer- 
red upon a Stranger, fays an Hiftorian, was the 
great Refpedt this Nobleman fhewtd to Edward^ 
when he* was forced to fly his Country by the 
prevailing Power of the Earl of Warwick^ and 
leek Proteftion from the Duke of Burgundy. 
This Nobleman, being of that Country, did his 
utmoft to comfort the King, then diftrgfted by 
his many Affliftions [h). • 

At the Time appointed, viz. 0^. 6, this Par- Aftcoud Seffion. 
liament met again, and continued fitting from 
Day to Day, to the 1 3th of December following. 
During which Time lome more Attainders were 
reversed ; and a Suit, or Contention at Law, was 
terminated between the King with the Enghjh 
Merchants, of one Side, and the Merchants of 
the Hans Towns, in Germany^ or the Stilliards^ 
on the other Party, and a free Intercourfe between 
thefe Countries and Merchants was fettled for ever. 
The King alfo confirmed to the faid Foreign 
Merchants, of the Stilliards^ their old Liberties, 
granted to all Foreign Merchants, of every Coun- 
u-ybyName, hy K\v\gEdivard\, but afterwards 
particularly, to thefe Merchants of the StilUards, 
by King Edward IL wherein is to be noted the 
Cuftoms they were then rated at, and the King's 
Grant not to raife the fanje, alj which was con- 
firmed by thi^ Parliament C/). 

Y 4 A ' 

(A) Habington utfupra, 4.50. Philip de Comminei, Liv. 3. Cap. c. 
(/) This Jnftrunaent of a very great Length, is printed in thx? 
Fuhlickj^s, Tom XI. r»793a ^<^* 



344 Tlje 'Parliamentary Histort. 

TiKEEiwirdlv. A new Aft of Rcfumpiion was, alfo, made, 
whereby the King took into his Hands all the He- 
reditaments of the Crown, with the DuchiKot 
LamofltT and York, from ihe Feaft of St. 'Dxmn 
Rcf^t^ "^in ihe Year 1473, and of which the King was 
''"^'' ' feifed March 4th, Anno Regni i. or whai came 
inro the King's Hands fince, by Attainder or 0- 
thcrwife. And, a Ipecial Gimmifiion was^ven 
to the Chancellor of Che Duchy of Lancajler^ for 
affiiriiig the Payment of certain of the King'l 
Debts granted out of the faid Duchy, under tte 
Seal of that Office. In this is a Number of 
Provifinns, particularly one, that the fame (houli 
not prejudice the Corporatton, Union, and An- 
nexation of the Duchy of Lancajlej^ and County 
Palatine, nor the Officers nor Tenants of thofe 
Diftrifls. Several Provifions, were alfo made 
to particblar People, by Name, in ihie Commif- 
(ion ; amongft which, lays the Abrtdger, we muK 
not forget one Provilion, for Mother CoW, Mid- 
wife to Elizabeth^ the King's btft belov'd Wifci 
and Queen of England. 

On the 13th of Dectmier the Bifhop of Dur-y 
ham, then ChanceUcr of £n^/i7ni/, in the Preience 
of the Kirg, Lords and Commons, after givlifl 
Thanks on ilie King's Behalf and by his Com- 
mand, 10 the thiee Eft.ite;, prorogu'd this Parlia-, 
went, once more, to llie zoih of January, rexl 
coming, at Welimlnlltr. 

We Icam thai this Pirliament again aflembled 
on the Day afcrelaid, and oontinu'd to fit till the 
The Ririiamentflrftof February ; when the faid Bifhop of i)ar- 
"',^' iw4>ti- '^'^'"' ^^ Chancellor, calt'd the Commons befoTE' 
on, ani are again the King and tol<t them, ' That they were ttifii 
prOTngu'J. « aflembled to confiilt which Way the Kinr 

* might proceed in the Wars; but, becaufe ht( 

* Mjje^ty had yet heard nothing from his Broth* 

* the Duke of Burgundy, relating to that Afeir, 
' whereon much depended ; it was the King'l' 

* Command that th;s Parliament fhouid be pro- 

rogu'd 



0/ E N G L A N D. 345 . . 

' rogu'd from the Cud Day, to the ninth Day ofK^ng^^wardiv. 
* May enfuingl* 

At the Time appointed by the laft Prorogation Anno Regni 14. 
this fame Parliament met again zi IVeJiminJier -, «'*^*^ n. 
and now, by the common Confent, the King^' ^'^"^'• 
granted to his Brother George Duke of Clarence 
and Ijabel his Wife, and to his other Brother 
Richard Duke of Glocepr and Ann his Wife, 
Daughter and Heir to Richard Nevile^ late Earl Grants, in this 
of Warwick, and Daughters and Heirs apparent ^^f^^' ^ 
to dnn: Countefs of ff'anvicij ' That they fhall clarence and** 
enjoy to them, and the Heirs of their faid Gloceftcr, the ; 
Wives, all the Hereditaments, belonging to^^"^'' Brothers, 
the faid Jnn, in fuch wife as if the faid //nn 
was naturally dead ; and'that their faid Wives 
fliould be of Blood to the faid Jnn and enjoy all 
Benefits accordingly, (he being, for ever, barred 
from claiming the fame {i). Alfo that both the 
faid Duk^s and like wife their Wives, and the 
Heirs of both, may make Partition of the Pre- 
mifles to ftand good in Law ; and that the faid 
Dukes or either of them, overliving his Wife, 
(hall during his Life eajoy her Property. That 
all Alicnations,Difcontinuances, Charges and In- 
cumbrances, fufFered by either of the faid Dukes 
or their Wives, to debar the other of the faid 
Pur-parties, (hall be utterly void. Moreover, 
that if the faid Duke of Glocejier be at any Time 
hereafter divorced from the faid Ann his Wife, 
and fufFer any fuch Incumbrance as above, 
that it {hall be void. And further, that if the 
faid Duke Richard, upon fuch Divorce, doth 

his 

{k) This Lady was Ann the Daughter and Heir of Richard Beau^ 
tbamp. Earl of JVarwick, and married to Richard Nevile, eldeft 
Son to the Earl oiSalifbury, who had the Title of Earl of JVar^ick 
given him by Patent of Henry VI. in the Right of his Wife. She 
had only two Daughters by the faid Earl, Jfabel and Ann ; the firft 
was married to George Duke of CJarence, and the other to Edward 
Prince of JValet^ Son to Ucnry VI. and after his Death to his Mur- 
derer Richard Duke of Glocejier ; who, as is faid, difpatchM her 
alfo, by PoifoH, to make Way for his intended Match with his 
Brother King Edivard^s Daughter. 

V\JGDALX*s Baronage y oh h Page 307. 




34*5 The Tarliamefttary Hi^oKX. 

mogEdmnilv.* his utiermoft to be reconciled, during his Wife's 
' Life, tliai then after the Death of his laid Wife, 
' he fliall enjoy her Putpariy.' 

The Effeit of ihe Grant made to the Mayor 
and Company of ihe Staple at Calaisy Anm rj, 
Edward IV. was in a Manner recited ; and, it 
was funher ena-fted, ' That the faid Mayor, dur- 
' ing the Term there mention'd, ftiall psy looo 
' Marks for the Fees and Rewards of the King> 
* Judges, Serjeants and Attornies-' 
The PirliuMDt This Seffion only continued to the 28th of 
fomXTia^ Mijr, when the Bifliop of Lincoln (/}, as Chan- 
cellor, in the Prefencc of the King and thetblK 
Eftates, prorogued the Parliament to the 6th D^ 
Thejmrctj|!aio,of?"n^i'e''t<'"'"'ng-. ^^ which Time, befito 
*nd pant a Sub- rcverfing the Attainders of a few more Gende- 
^^' men, and fome other Ai5ts on private Again, ^ 

Subfidy was granted by the Commons to ttn 
King of one TfNib and one Fifteenth \ AUb(. 
51,117/. 41. jd. {d. as fuli Payment for tint 
Wages of 14,000 Archers granted before ; anj 
for the railing of this, every County, City, and 
Town was feverally taxed. And on yufy 18th, 
the aforefaid Chancellor, by the King's Command 
prorogued the Parliament to the 23d Day of Ff- 
bruary, next enfuing, at Weflminjier. 
TheramcPariia- This Parliament being again aflembled, on the 
"™'™"' 'f^faid Day, which was ftill in the 14th of this 
on. """^"'King, an Ordinance was imoiedratdy maJe by 
them for the fpecdy levying the Tenih^ on all Re- 
venues, granted in the p ith Year of this Reign. 
An Aft wrts made this Seffion for flp[X)in[Li!g 
Tkemai Archbifliop q{ Ciinterbiirs\ and fevera! o- 
thers, Feoffees in Truft, for fundry Heredita- 
ments in the Duchy of Lanctfter, to the Perfor- 
mance of ihe King's laft Will and Tcft^^uienli 

The Houfe called the Stylt-Hmfe, otherwi/e 

the StilUard, in the Pjrifh of AilhaUsvjs in iw- 

^«,was by Authority of Parliament .tffigiwd to tbf 

MerthRnis 

(/) TCowHifis/ifrBm. afwrwards-Cinditcd tsTorJ. LiNrvi'i 

Ffl/h £«. A>.g. 



EO/ E N G L A N D. 347 
erchants of the Hans Towns, andto their Suc-KingEdmrd^'. I 
, Ceffors for ever, tc^etlier with oilier Tenements 
to the fame belonging, yielding Yearly to the 
Mayor of Londen 70/. -and lome other Out- 
Payment. 

On the Petition of Richard Duke of Chcefler^ 
the Kinp, would ncrt attaint "John 'Neviie late Mar- 
quefs of Montaiuti, flair in the B-ittle, near Bar- 
nei ; but, by Authority of Parliament, he gave 
to tfee faid Duke, and to the Heirs of his Body, 
lawfully begotten, feveral Honours, Baronies, 
Caftles, Manors, ami other Hereditaments, which 
belonged to Richard Nevile, late Earl oi ff'arwiik. 
And, by the fame AutbcB-Jty, the King gave to 
George Duke of Clarence^ feveral other Manors, 
i^e. in EJfex., with ihc Manfion-Houfe, in Lan- 
dofii called the Harbor, late belonging to the faid 
Earl. Likewife, in Exchange for the Manor and 
Wapontake of ChcjUrfield and Scarfdnie, in the 
County of Derby, and the Manor of Bi^y in 
Herlfardjhire, allotted to Richard Duke of Gla- 
tejier and jinne liis Wife, the King gave to the 
laid Duke and Anne, in Fee, the Manor of Cot- 
tingham in the County of York, with the Advow- 
fon of the fame, which late belonged 10 Richard 
late Duke of Tiri, ihe King's Faiher, together 
wiih the Town and Caftle of Scardeburgh, with 
the Fee-Farm of the fame, and other Liber- 



Several other Manors are mentioned in the 
Records, as granted to the Duke of Clarence, iti 
Devonjhire and Semerjftjhire, &c. all which were 
Parcels of forfeited Eilates,which at this lime muft 
greatly increate the Revenues of the Royal Fa- 
mily. 

The whole Buiinefs of this hft Seffion of theNumcronj At- 
Parliament fcems, by the Records, to be taken uptaindns, R™- 
with Attainders, and revoking Attainders, Grants ^'"""q^*"^'"' 
of forfeited Eftates, (^c. the fatal Cotlfequences ^' '' 

of Civil Wars; but it would be. too tedious to 
mention aay more of rtiera. However, we find 
that 



ri 






ThiilonEParlla- 



348 77je Parliamentary HisroKX 

/. thai in the Statute Soeis are feveral Ads, maiie 
for the Puhlick Good, in the different Scflions of 
this long Pailiament, to which we muft alio refer; 
and Ihall only oblerve, that before the DiHolu- 
lion thereof, the Commons made anaLher 
^"""'"^'"■^''i'- Gram to the King of ore Te^th, and onefi/"- 
ttfaih, wiih a Third of each of ihem. Which 
Grant bein?: read, and agreed to by the Lores, 
the Lord ChatKcllor, on the i4ih Day oi M^irth, 

,. Jnnu RiS'ii 15. (m) by the King's Comniand, ie- 
turned I'hanks to the three Eftates, and dillbiveJ 
the ParliimenC 

We have not In the Courft of ihefe Enquiria, 
hiihcrto, met wiih a Parliament of fo long a Du- 
ration ; they having fat,"wkh the feveral Proro- 
gations, near two Years and a ha!f. During' 
which The Hifltiry of Croylani takes notice, ihrt 
no left than three fevenl Lord Chancellors preM- 
cd. The firff, adds that Auihority, -wisRihtii* 
[SiiUn^tBn] Bifhop of Bath, who did nothing but- 
by the Advice of his Difciplc ysis [^/rui*] BiihoK 
,of ff'ortejler ; the next was Law 1 erne [Beslbt^- 
Bifhop of Durham, who lired himfelf with d<rt 
ins; juft nothing at all ; and the third was Thtmat 
[Rslbemm] Biihop of Lincoln, who did all, airfi 
brought every 'hing to.i happy Conclufian. 

The aforefaid Authority («), cotcmporary wiihr 
thefe Times, goes on and tells us, ' That that 
' King made it his utmoft Study, in this Parlii-' 
' rnent, to incite and animate the Lords ai«t 
* Commons, to confent to a War with Frame. 
\ And, that many elcL^ant Speeches, as well ad 
' the State of the Nation, as on Foreign Affairs, 
' particularly in regarc'. of the Duke of Bzirgundjt 
' were made in open Parliament. At laft, every 
' one agreed wirh his Majeliy's Wilhes, and ap-^ 
' piaudmg great! I t':e royal Propofal, many 
' Tw/ij and /V/f^vnfAj were granted; fcparatdy*. 



ti large 5ub£dy ; 



(a) The jfAriilgrmtBt baa 

Miltikf, far E/hi-arJ iV. lieg 

(n) Hist. Crovi. (-■mft'BB 



Anna Rrgti 14. but it niuftl«» 
his RcJEii on the 4th of HZanh 



0/ ENGLAND. 349 

ftfls the Malter required, in the Convocaiion of KlngEdwardiv. 
■ the Clergy and Aflembly of the Laity, who 
liboth imerefted theinfelve? in making theleCon- 
Lceflions ; befides charging their Hereditary 
■PolTeflions and immoveable Goods, freely, with 
Kanother Tenth to fuftain the Expejicea of the 
fcWar. Neither did all thefe Burthens on iheAnd.in™inipo. 
KPeopIe Ibem fufEdent. For a new, and a yet^"""' """'^ " 
|[,uiiheard-of Impoiition;ii) was alked, called afo"c^^^''n'' 
Benevolence, whereby, every one might » ■w^r'aeainft 
give what they would, or rather, what [hey f"""- 
Would not. The Money raifed by all ihefe 
WVays and Means, amounted to fo vafl a Sum, 
I, adds the Monk by way of Prophecy, no doubc 
[he like was never feen before -, nor, in all proh- 
jjility, ever will be I'een again.' 
fHall, in his Chronicle, hath given us the Man- 
t by which this new Device of a Benevolence 
's collefted ; which was begun the Year afier 
^ isft Subfidy was grAnted(;)). The King, 

B %* caafed his Officers to bring before him, 

one after another, thu richeft and moft fubftaniial 
Cilizens, and to them he explained the Caule, 
Purpofe, and the Necefliry of ihe Wjr, begun 
■with France, and the Weaknefs of his Treafury 
to carry it on. Rtquirlng ihem hytheLovp and 
Regard they owed their natural Prince, out of 
Gratitude and Kindnefalo him, that they would 
give him freely fome Aid in Money, towards ihc 
Maintenance erf the War and Army. What 
Ihould I fay more, adds our Aurhor ? Thi:^ In- 
vention haa its EBedt. Some calling lo Remem- 
brance the Benehts received from him ; lome 
with Shame, and fome with Fear, moved and 
encouraged, gave iiberally of their Money ; which 
could not have been otherways obtained without 
much 

(0) In the fetond Ynr of his Reign lie feat out Lctltrs, unJer 
the t'rivy SoJ, to i/k fuch a Conliibgilon as this, 10 help liim la 
laile Forces againll the SmU, CDIni;^ m with Kiag Henry, whicll 
v/M libeially granted. SfOfv l'i CAran, 416. 

C^lHfltL'iO^^x'V/', Fd. CCXXVJI. CcpiidbyCijirTON, 
P-719. 



3^0 Th'eTarl}amentaryMist<yR.r 

XingEJ-ariiv-much Gtudging and Relnflancyf/t^ Our Hi-' 
flomn goes on and tells us a plealant Story, which 
happened by this way of gathering ihe Binrm- 
Una. The Kirg had called before him a Widow' 
Gentlewoman, raich abounding in WealTb, and 
equally ftticken la Years ; of whom, he only de- 
manded what (he would freely give him, towardj 
ihe Support of his great Charges ? By my Trttb, 
quoth the old Lady, fir the fake of thy bvt^' 
Csunienancgy theu Jhalt have 7wenty Pounds. Ttie' 
King, expeiling fcarce half that Sum, thanW 
her, and gave her a loving Kifs. Whether the' 
Flavour of his Breath, adds Hall, did fo warm her" 
old Heart, Dr ihe efteemed the Kifs of a King fo" 
precious a Jewel, fhe fwore directly, that he* 
fliould have Twenty Pounds more ? Which, fhc^ 
as willingly paid as offered [q). 

But, leave we this new Way of railing Motieyj 

which, by all we can find, was only praflifed cKI 

the licheft Citizens of Lmdtin, and not carrW' 

thro' the Nation : Let us fee what the Kitigdtf 

WWch prmes With hls Rtchcs, and how they were employed' 

imfiKcdsfui. abroad, j^^ii-arrf embarked with his Forces, an# 

landed at CalaU^ where be was joined by tb^ 

Duke of hurgmdy, who had invited him to iW* 

War i hut with fo poor a Reinforcement, tbrf 

Edmatt 

I AK wriW, that ttie Majror of LciJa,, Tor his Part pit 
h rf the Aldermen XX Mai-lo ; the Conunontn, f -■j'^* 
le WagCG of half a Man for a Veu, which oi 



xmc/. 



OF*>i 



aOually hipp«ned 1 



1. FJ. ccjcxn. 

(o) A Storj'i fomcwhat applicable 

TiKiJrni in Ttrkpre, in the Yar of Kir^ Charfi. 

tioa. I[ wu then thought proper, to fupply the prefent Nea 
of the King and Stale, to lend OfJicera about the KlDgSom, n 
cotleft what PJoney each Pecfon wonid ftcely contribute on tbi 
OccaliDn; and which wai, atfo, call'd a Biir(ivai.ai>CK. TH 
Cdliefbiri came to the Houfc of an old Lady, who then InMi 
theTawnaforefaid.andhayingtoldherlhdtEir.ind, *Alafi! Al ' 
laid/he, ' ApoorKingindeed, to g o a bt^ng the firft Ye«r of _. 
' Reign I bat (tay, I will bcRow fomething on him {* lod, fellU 
them out ten broad l>ie>:es, 'Here, faji Ihe, lake thoTc' IW 
riAiceri were gdng away. Ten' tbankfU fin what they hod Ml 
' Hold,' fay: the cid Lady, ' Here are tni mare, to bear tlK 
' Ciiarges of Ilje other i aii ihtn, periupi, (mne i 
' leach hjm.' 



I 



0/ E N G L A N D, 5ji 

Edward thinking himfelf flighted, and fearing King Edwudiv, 

foine Treachery, haftily concluded a Peace with 

the Fre/icb King ; and the whole ended in an In- ^ P^^^^^ ^^m'^ 

terview between the two Kings, which was per- lihich difobligas 

formed at Piguigny^ with great Ceremony and tht Nation. 

Magnificence. 

But, the Nation was no Ways pleafed with 
this Piece of Pageantry ; the Money which had 
been fqueezed, as it were outofeirery one's Parfes, 
was given and granted for a quite different Pur- 
pofc than to be fpent in a pompous Parade. A 
Vf^vkh France, on theold QuaTrcl, was what 
all wilhed for ; and it was with great Difficulty, 
thai Ed-ward prevented his chief Minifters from 
being call'd to an Account, at his Return j being 
greatly fufpeded that they had been touched with 
Ftentb Gold, in order to advife him to confent 
to a Peace (rj. An Hiftorian remarks, 'That 
' furely, there is fomc in-born Malice, rancoring 

* in the Genius of our Nation, againft the 
' Ftmth ; the Baxon Government having once 

* received a final Overthrow from ihem, in the 

• Conqueft of Duke William. Or elfc, it would 

* be a Wonder why the Etigiijb were never fpar- 

• ingof their Lives or Trealiire, when any War 

• was to.be advanc'd againft the French {s)' 
The King was in his Nature fo liberal to ihofe 

who had any Ways befriended him, ihit he foon 

got quit ot all the Treafure that was left after his 

/^/Hi"* Expedition. And, knowing well theFickle- 

nefs of ilie Njtion ; how prone they were to raife 

Xnfurredions, and how fond of Novelties ; he 

durft not call a Parliament to lay on any new Sub- The King's M=- 

fidy, but took oiher Very different Ways to reftore thoi of railing 

hia Treafury. Under the Force of a Statute, Money, "avoid 

which had been palled in Parliament, he firft took J^"^f " "* 

Into his own Hands all the Revenues of the Crown, 



Time PeniiontTB 6 _ 

toare Credit, amongft his oivn Subjefts, by Ihu Vacc' (har 
Ind gained Honour by the nine ftrmer Viftoiica be bad « 
Uvrs IV. Ciof . X. 

(s)lhbi«gionlaK:r.ntt 461. 



352 The Tiirli anient ary History 

KicaEJMtd IV, to whomfoever alienated, and applied them lode-% 
fray tlie Expences of ihe Stale. Next, he 6x'd,| 
in every Part of the Kingdom, Culkflors of ihftt 
Cuftoms, Men well qualified for their Offices,! 
and who were hard enough on the Merchants. 
Heloaded many Shipsof Burthen, with thefineft. 
Wools, Cloth, Tin, and other Commodities of 
tile Kingdom, and, like a meer Merchant, trad-: 
ed to Italy and Greece with them, and had, in Ex-i 
change, the Piodud of thofe Countries. ThC' 
vacant Bifliopricks, which had fallen into hisi 
Hands, and which, by Magna Charts, he could 
not make Sale of, he granied no Reftitution of 
the Temporalities under a fixed Price. The Re-r 
gtftets and Rolls of Chancery were fttiftly fearch-l 'j 
ed ; and whofoever he found had entered upoa 
their Eftates, without due Form of Law, be 
made them pay large Fines for their Tiilcw 
Thefe and (uch like Kinds of Snares, whichacun-* 
ning Fowler could poITibly invent, he put in Prac- ■ 
lice J add to this, the ten Thoufind Pounds « 
Year, by Treaty, from i^anw; with the Tenths of 
all Church Livings, from the Payment of which no 
Bilhop or Clergyman could get exc'jfed, in a few- 
Years filled the King's Coffers, and made him one f 
of the richeft Princes tif that Age. Infomuch/ 
adds our Authority,- that for Vellels of Gold and 
Silver, for Tapeftry, for precious Orn;iments» 
Robes and Veftments, for building of C<(ftles, Col- " 
leges, and other famous Places, nune of his An-t 
cellors couIJ be comp.ired to him (t)- 

By theie Means we may fuppofe the Siqg 
fuhfifted himfeif, and difcharged the necelTary Exv 
pences of the Slaie, without laying anygener4' 
Tax on his Subjects, or having occafion to call 4, 
Parliament for fome Time. For it was not titt' 
near three Years after the Uft Parliament wafr 
diflblv'd, thai we meet with any Account oft 
another ; b'jt no Writs of Summons are ^vca. 
to it, either in Ditgdale or Tke jfbridgmenL. 
The kill Authority, however, mentions ihf: 
Pruct"^' ■■' 

(■.•;ilMT.C=ovL.O«. 5;j. 



SffF 



0/ E N G L A N D. 353 

Proceedings of a Parliameni, heM at Tf'ejl- KlngHawsraiV, 
mirtjier, on the i6th D.iy of January, in the 
I7lh of King Edward the IVth ; and our Sia- 
tutc-Bnoks, by i Recital of feveral Aits there 
made, confirm it. 

At the Tinie appointed, the Parliament nietAnnoR^i;, 
at Wepntnfter ; when Thomas Rothtram, Bifhop '477- 
of Lincoln, in the Prelence of the King, Lords, '^' ^=''''^''^- 
and Commons, in the Painted Chamber, de- 
clared the Caule of the Summons, under this 
Text, pominu! regit me^ d nihil Mihi deml. 

Upon wtiich he largely treated ' Of theObe- 

* dience which Subjects owe to iheic Prince ; and 

* fliewed, by many Examples, out of the Old 

* and New Teftament, what grievous PLigues 

* had happen'd to the Rebellious and Difobedient ; 
' parlicularifing that Saying of St. Paul, Nonfme 

* Gaufa RexGladium portat. He added, that the 
' Majefty of the King was upheld by the Hand 
' and Counfel of God, by wliich he was ad- 

* vanc'd to the Throne of liis Ancellors.' And 
concluded with obferving, ' That imder the Per- 

* fon of the King, with thePerfonsof the Bifhops 
' and Lords, and under thofe of the Commons, 
' Si Dsminui regit me nihil Aiihi deerit, fed in 

* Loca Pafcuce illoi eallocabil.' Then he duelled 
the Commons to choofe their Speaker, amongft 
therafelves, as ufual, and prefent him to the 

King J who next Day prefented IFJIiam JlUng- Milium ADlnE- 
icfi, Efq; for that Office, who was allowed ton Eiq; ciiofen 

accordingly. Speaker. 

The firft Tiling we find is a Creation exem- 
plified of Richard, t^e King's fecond Son, heing -pj,!, f^ .^ f^, 
thereby made Duke of Tori and Norfali, Earl cond Son created 
Marflial of England, Earl of IVarren and Not- ^'^'^ "f '^°^>^< 
iiniham. Likewife, that the King had appointed *"' 
his fald Son to marry with Ann, the Daughter and 
Heir to John laic Duke of Norfolk, the faid Ann 
being then but fix Years of Age and the Prince 
about the f^me. On this Declaration an A£l was 

Vol. IL Z nndc 





354 ^^^ Tnrliamentary Histort 

KingEii-udlv, ni-ide, ihat, if the fjiJ Ann {hould happen loii 
before llie had 1 flue by ilie faid Duke of York ; lEi 
then ihe fatd Duke fhculd enjoy, during li 
Life, fevera! Baronies, Honours» Ortlcs, Manoi^ 
Knighrs Fees, and other Herediiamcnls I 
Name.in JFaks, S!ifex,anA other Couniries, Pjr- 
ccl of ihc Inheritance of the faid Anv. aCoI 
Jirmationof the Jointure, rated by Particulars, I 
Elizabeth Duchefs of Narfslk late Wife i 
'Jahi Duke of Harfolk ; all which Ptemiffc^ 
with all other Reverfions of the faid Duke, 
granted and confirmed by Parliament to the fat 
Duke of Tirk^ during his Life j in which are in- 
cluded fome Provifions for the Lord Hsw 
Lord Berkeley and others. 

, The Exchange of the Callle and Manor of fi 

v:l, in Walei, belonging to Rkhard Duke o 
Chufltr and Ann his Wife, for the King's l. 
and Manor of //^^MiJ^-f, in the lame Country, liC 
was confirmed by Parliament. As, alfo, loan 
other Privileges were granted lo the faid Duke. 
And whereas the King had created GisrgiSt 

Kmk, Dukt efvile, the Son of Jdti NevUe late MarqueS C 

Mford-.idc Monmuti, Duke of Bedford -, the King, by A» 
ihorhy of Parliament, revoketh ihe faidCreaiioB 
and all other Titles and Honours, as wellftaH 
the faid George as from the faid yoi«. 

It is neceflary to expatiate a little upon thisat 
iraordinary Ait of Revocation. yehtiNevilii fc 
cond Son to Richard Earl of Salhbuiy, and Bro 
thLT 10 the famous Earl of J^aruhk^ for his goa 
Services to the Houfe of York, had been creiiB 
Marquefs of Monticule, or Mountogue, byKiH 
Edward IV. and had feveral I^rge and rich Ml 
iinrs given him. Hi(tori:-ns are far from bi 
clear in the Charadterof [bisNoWeman ; it is 
that when his Brother the EhiI of /^?rw«^ del- 
ed the Intercit of the Duke of York, he didiir 
fame, and raifed Forces in the Nor:h, and rb<_ 
by both Edivard was driven out ol the King'-" 
In the Parliament called on the Reftoiatic- 



0/ E N G L A N D. SSS 

HenryVl. [he fame Authorkies afliire us, thatKingEdwjritv. 
thcMarquela came lo ii, and with many Words 
endeavoured loexcufe his having formeriy ailed 
for K'm^^ Edward ; urging, thai it was really 
the Fear of Deaih only that oblig'd liim lo it ; on 
which he obtain'd his Pardon, and was put upon 
the fame Footing, for Frienddiip, with his Bro- • 

ther. But, adds one, if he had flood firm to Ed' 
ward, he had done Henry lefs Harm, as an open 
Enemy, than a treacherous Friend ; becaufe, 
thofe weareawareof feldom greatly hurt us (aj. 
For wiihin a fliort Time alter. King Edwaiiit~ 
lurning, this 'Jshn privately held a Correfpon- 
-dcnce with him j and being tlien with a large 
Army at Ponttfra£f, he TuiF.r'd Edward la pals 
by him without any Moleftation, That after- 
wards he outwardly made a Shew of joining with 
his Brother the Earl of lyarwici, and the reft of 
the Lancafiriam at Bariut, but that he privately 
got on King Edward's Livery, in order to take 
his Part ; which being diicetn'd tiy Tome of his 
Brother's Servants, they forihwith fell upon him 
and killed him C^)- Thele laft Particulars are only 
meniion'd by Dugdole, who quotes Lehad's Col' 
h^atiea for his Authority ; but, if this had been 
true, hhSoaGeerge, without the higheft Ingrati- 
tude, had never fuffered as above. For we are 
told, that by his Father's Attainder, at this 
Time, he was deprived of fufficient Livelihood ; 
and lufing all his own Honours and Titles alfo, 
he retired to Sheriff H-'tm Caflle, in Yorkfiiire, 
where, Anno 1483. i EdwardV. hedied. 

The Earl's other Brother, Gei^ge Niv'iU-, 
Archbifljop of Turk, famous for his extraordinary 
Inftallaiion-Feaft, lived fome Time quietly un- 
der Edward's Government. Bui the King 
Z a growing 

faj Farro fi is nan Edwardo fii-iftt, Diih fni^l miK-i Hcfili 
f van fs.cijii, jimiw Irfiga j qunmata qux cavcams rats baai^jn 



3j6 Tfje Tarl'iamentary HisTotvr 




I 



KniEJwirilv.gcowing jeaiousofhim, at !aft feized on his Per- 
fon and Effects by z Stratagem, and feni him Pri- 
foner to the Gallic of Gui/aes, where he foon after 
died. Thus the Crime ,of double Perfidy was 
amply reveiig'd by the DeftriiLtion of this whole 
nobie P"amily. But to return to our Parliamen- 
tary Proceedings : 

To ibfien the Rigour of the laft Sentence, we 
find ihai fome others, who had been attainted, 
were pardoned and had their Eftales teftored to 
them. The principal of ^yb^ch was Sir Thsmai 
Verc, Knight, Brother to John late Earl of Ox- 
ford, which Family had been ftrongly attach'd 
to the Houfe of Lancajltr j for, even after the 
Battle of Tewhburj, the (aid Earl and his Bro- 
thers retir'd to St MUkaef% Mount in CarnwaU, 
and held it out againft King Edward foma 
Months, The Ear! himfelf, however, fu&red 
feverely j for iho' he was pardoned as to his Life, 
in theParliaraentoftliei2thofthisKing, yet he 
was made a clofe Prifoner, in [he Caftle of 
Gulfnes, and continued fo to the laft Year of 
Riihard the Third. In all which Time his Lady 
was never fuffcred lo come to him, nor had any 
Thing alloic'd her for Maintenance ; but lived 
ufion ilie Charity of well difpos'd People, and by 
what (he could earn with her Needle, or other 
feminine Employments (fj- 

We muft not omit another Remark, oiis. 
that the Procefs and Judgment againft another 
Lady, called in the Record Ancheuette Twindowe^ ■ 
for poifoning Ijabd, late Wife to Genrgt Dulce of 
Cldft'ice, and for which the faid Lady had fuffer'd 
Death at ffare, the Year before, were utterly 
repealed by this Parliament : Probably it beinp; found 
a wrong AccuCition, this was to make fome A- 
menJs lo her Family 

On the Petiiions of the Commons fome ufeful 
Ails were made this Parliament ; as, ' Thai alt 

, Fol. ccpiti. 




•< 



0/ ENGL AND. isr 

* Irijh Money (hould be prohibited in this King- King Edward iv: 

* dom. That it fhould be Felony lo carry out 

* of England^ or ff^ales^ any Coin of this Realm, 

* or any Plate, Bullion, Jewels of Gold or Silver, 

* without the King's Licence, i^c. An Aft a- Several ufcful 

* gainft unlawful Games, fuch as are there call'd Aas paflcd. 

* Klqffe^ V Half'htnole^ Rayles^ Hand in Hand^ 

* or ^echbordy on Pain of two Years Imprifon- 

* ment and Forfeiture of Forty Pounds ; and 
^ whofoever fliould fuffer any other Perfon to 
^ play at fuch Games in his Houfe or other Place, 

* ihall fufFer three Years Imprifonment and forfeit 

* twenty Pounds. A long Aft for regulating 
\ Apparel, which had then grown to a very great 

* Extravagance. An Aft was made to repeal a 

* Parliament holden Anno 9, Edward IV. [or 

* Anno 48, Henry VI.] with all the Afts there- 

* in made, and their Exemplifications {dy Laft- 
ly., The Abridgment mentions an Aft to conti- 
nue only to the next Parliament, * To oblige all 

* Irijhmen born, or.colning of IriJh Parents, who 

* refide in England^ either to repair and remain 

* in Ireland^ or elfe to pay yearly a certain Sum, 
^ there rated, for the Defence of die ^me.* Alfo, 

* That an Ordinance was made - for ^ohn 

* AtwilU a Burgefs, in this Parliament, for the 

* City of Exeter^ (who had been condemn'J in the 

* Exchequer^ on eight feveral Informations, at the 

* Suit of John Taylor^ of the fame Town ,) to have 

* as many Superfedeas, as bepleafed, until his com- 

* ingto his own Home'. An Aft of Privilege direft- 
ly in the Face of the other Courts of Juftice, and 
is ibmewhat extraordinary at that Time. 

The Reader may obferve that no Supply was 
cither asked or granted this Parliament j Ibme o- 
ther Neceflities of State requiring this Meeting ; 
and the *King ftill fublilling himfelf on his own 
B evenucs. 

About this Time a Difcord arofe betvveeji the 
' Z 3 King 



[ 



35S TheTarliatftcJitary History 

Kint Edwiri IV- King and his Brother George, L)ukc of Clarence i 
which ended in ihe Deftriiilion of ilie latter. 

* It was obferv'd, fays llie Hifory of Crcyland (#J, 
that the Duke withdrew himldf, by little arid' 
little, from the Kin^'? Piefence ; in Council he 
would fcarce fpeak a Word, nor would he wil- 
lingly either e^t or drink in the King's Palace.- 
A Quand be- This Coldncis in the Duke was thought by many- 
I^"hi/nro^h« '° proceed from the general Relumption of 
GmrgcDulM of Crown Lands, which, as hasbeenfaid, the King- 
ClHtncc. had praftifcd ; by which the Duke had loft the' 

noble Lordfliip of Julbury, and feveral other 
Lands which the King; had formerly given him. 
Add to this, that on ttie Death of Charles Duke 
of Burgundy j Mary, his only Daughter and Heir, 
by Margaret, King Edward's Sifter, was defign- 
' ed by her Mother to be given to Clarence, his own 

Wife being i^ewly dead i but the King, fays our 
Authority, not willing his ungrateful Brother, 
fhould gain fuch a Fortune, impeded the Match 
Jo much, that it never iook Place ; and the 
ycurg Lady was afterwards married to the Em- 
peror of Germany's Son, Maximilian. The 
Duke's Anger, was by this Ufage much more raifedl 
' againft iheKing ; and they began to regard one 

another with no brotherly Afpefls. Belidesy 
Flatterers and Tale-bearers, who always haunt 
the Courts of Princes, by carrying and repealing 
Stories, made the Matter ftill worfc between 
them. But the Reafon of the Duke's Imprifon- 
nient is faid 10 be this ; one John Stacey, whom 
our Author calls an Aftionbmcr and a greatNe- 
crbmanccr, was joined in Confederacy with The~ 
mas Burdet, Efq; one of the Duke's Servants j 
and they were accofed of compafEog the Death, 
o( ^cbard h'j\<i Beauchamp, ai the Inftigaiionof. 
his Wile, an Adultrefs, by making of Leaden 
Images, and other Things to that Purpofc. 5/a- 
cey having pafs'd a fevere Examination, on the- 
cxercifingi 

[f;HisT. CaoTL. Conf. jSi, 562. 



0/ ENGLAND. ssp 

rxercifing this damnable Art, fays the Monk,KingEdwaniiv. 

<ronfeft many Matters both againft himfelf and 

againft the faid Burdet, who was thereupon 

taken up. They were both tried in Wejlminjler- 

Mall, at the Bar of the King's Bench, mod of » 

the Lords Temporal fitting with the Judges, 

Tvhere they were found guiliy and condemn'd to 

fuffer Death for it. Being drawn to Tyburn^ and ^^vo of the lat. 

permitted to fpeak what they pleafed j Stacey faid ter's Confcde- " 

little, but Burdet, with great Boldnefs and many "^^^ executed, 

"VSTords, declared his Innocence, and ended his^^^^;^^^^ 

Difcourfe, adds the Monk, with thefe Words of 

Sufanna, * Ecce morior, cum nihil horum fece-- 

• rim{f): 

The nejct Day the Duke of Clarence came in- 
to the Council Chamber, at Wejiminjler \ and 
brought with him a famous Divine, of the Order 
of Miner eU, who had takdn the Confeflion and 
Declaration aforefaid, and repeated it to the Lords 
of the Council 5 which, as foon as he had done, 
the Duke withdrew. The King was at that 
Time at Wtndjory and when he was told this Af- 
fair, lie fell into a vehement Paflion at his Brother j 
and recollefting in his Mind all the Informations 
he had received againft him, he fummon'd him to 
ap]'>ear before him on a Day appointed, in the 
■ Palace at fFe/Jm^nJIer, when the LordxMayor and 

Aldermen 

(/) This Surdet Is the Man whom all our later Hiftoriins parti- 
cularly mention for being executed on' a very trivial Accufation. 
icing EdivarJy in feme Progrefs that he made, took Occafion to 
hunt in this Gentleman's Park ; and amongft fcveral Deer that he 
klll^d^ /hot a white Buck, which the Squire much valued. And • 
faying that he wiih*d the Horns of the Buck in that Man's Belly 
^rho advis'd the King to kill him : This was conftrucd as wWhing 
the Horns in the King's Belly, and he was executed for it. Ou» 
Cotemporary Hifloriam^ from whom we have quoted, mention 
nothing of this Buck- Affair ; and old Stowe fays, expvefly, thaj^ 
be was accusM of Poifoning, Sorcery, and I^ichantment, heinous 
Crimes in thofe Days to be even fufpefted of ; for which he wai. 
attainted by Parliament, drawn to Tyburn, and there beheaded. 
Tljis may tlterefore be look'd upon as one of the partial Strokes a^ 
tlic Houfeof Ycrky by the Lamaftrian Writers who fucceeded. 

STOwi's Cird'jr, p^ 4^0!«. 



I 



360 The 'TarliatHctttaryHiTCo^T 

Kiii|U"-MJlv. Aldermen of Lotidm were prefent j and ik:t 
the King, with his own Mouih, * accofed lIk 
Duke of many Articles, particularly (lie W 
niGntioncd ; .iggravaiing il vehemently againS 
. him, and eh:.rgiiig the Duke with ftiji,mau(ing 
him as a Reprobate 10 the Laws of the Lsnd, 
and thai his Judges and Juries were cqunlly un- 
jiift. Upon which the Duke was fent Prifonei 
to theTower, from which Imprifonment Death 
only freed him. 

What follow'd in the next Parliament, ftiH 
adds our former Authority, ' Mens rcfugu 
* ran ;' lincc it was a rnel3nch(>ly Sight to feefucll 
Difconl aril'e between two Perlbns fo neat akJal 
in Humanity, for no one charged the Duke but. 
the King, nornooneanfivered the King but the 
Duke. Some, however, were produced, « 
whom it was much doubled, whether they came 
asAccufersof ihc Duke, or Evidences forhiixh 
TV Diite him. ''^^ Duke anfwercd all Ottjeflions to hisCoO 
Mf triri, ton- ' dufl, by aflat Denial ; offering, if ii mt^t h 
dmined and eie- granted, to defend his Caufe by Combat, ^i 
<^"''' mnlt'ti immerer ? the Houfe of Lords were of 0* 

pinion that the Evidence againft the Duke was fuf 
ficient ; and therefore proceeded to Condemna# 
on, the Sentence of which was pronounced 
Henry T)\ikcoi Buckingham, for ihat Time m; 
Lord High Steward of England (g). Execution 
however, was deby'J, 'till the Speaker of the 
Houfe of Commons and his Brethren were callei 
before the otl.er Houfe, when a Rehearing of llw 
whole Matter was made before them . The Coff 
fequence of all which was, that the Duhe w* 
put to Death, within the Tower of ijW?«, in I 
tew Days ; but what Kind of Death he fudged '» 
unknown, Vllnam finis tndli(h). This is the 
honelt 

ut the Authority albre^iiote^ 
— "■- contrailiatd. 

™f.. VoLlLp-iSi-i 
na'A ID > Bute or AW 



0/ E N G L A N D. 3^1 

honeft Monk's Prayer, at the End of ii'SKmgMwinirr* 
Tragic Story. Anil a fuperllitious Perlbn would 
be apt to believe thai he had either forefaw, or 
dreaded, fome future Mifchjef might happen, as 
indeed it did, lo the two Children of this un/ortu- 
rate Prince, Edward Earl of fVurwUi, and 
Margaret Co-^TMeis oi Sahihury i botli born, fays 
an Hiftorian, under the fame maievolent Conftel- 
lation with their Father, for he loft his Head in 
Henry the VIIth'sTime, and flie hers by Com- 
mand of i/^r/ry the Vlllth (0- 

We have chole to tranflate all the abovefaid 
Account from the Cotemporary Hiitory before 
quoted ; as the heft Authority we can give of this 
extraordinary Proceeding- Add to ihif, that all 
our ancient Chronicles, are exprefs that the Duke 
was coiidemn'd by Parlianiem } and yet there is 
not one Word of it, or of any Parliament being 
fummon'd at that Time, to be found on Record, 
It is probable, that the great Grief, which all 
agree the King exprefs'd afterwards, for fuffcring 
himfetf to be hurried away by Prejudice and Pafli- 
on agiainft his Brother, wag the Occafiou that the 
Proceft was kept out of the Records. 

But the particular Writer of this King's Life is 
more explicit ; and hath not only laid the Death 
of the Duke of C/flrf;ife to the evilMachinations 
ofhis Brother G/a£f/?cr, but hath alfo given us the 
Sum andSubftance of the Bill of Attainder again ft 
him i which, as it lays the Matter fully open, 
we fiiall give in his own Words as follows (i) : 

* Inhis Attaini'cr, according to the Form, areThtFormof At- 

* Crimes enough to m ikc his l3eath have Appea-J^"^^"^ 

• ranceofJ;!ftii.e, the Execution of which theKing 
« feem'd raiher conftrain'd to, than to have fought. 

•• For there are reckon'd up. How the Duke of 
* Clarence 

(O BiONBi. Vol. n. p. 66. 

ft) Mr Fdi/nj-rsB ftldom quote! his Autliorities ; but thii ii 
tttoK cCTtainljr iikea ftom uld Sirwi, who Uyi he bat read Che 
altuindcr. Cbrm, p.4]o, 



I 




3(5a TheTarl/afneutaryHisroKT 

XinjEiiward IV. * Clarence, to bring the prefent Government in- 
' to Hatted with the People and thereby the 

* prefent Siaie into Trouble, had not only in his 
' Speeches freq'jently laid Injuflicc to the King's 
' Charge in attainting Tbomat Burdit falfly, con- 

* vidi of many notorious Treafons; but fuborn'd 

* many of his Servants and divers oihers, cor- 
' rupted with Money, to divulge the like fedK 

* tious Dilcoarles : That he h.id fpread Abroad 
' impious Rumours that the King dejlt by Nccro- 

* mancy ; and th tt, upon Offence againft fuch of 
' hisSubjedls whombydrder otL.iw heouldtiot 
' deftroy, he was atcuitcm'd to tJke them away 
' by Poiion: That heh.id not refted there, but 

* thereby to advance himfdf to the Kingdom, 

* and for ever to dilabie ihe King and his Pofte-^" 

* rity from the Crown, he had contraiy to Truth, 
' Nature and Relig'on, Vipci-litcedeftroying hef 

* who gave him Life, pubhfh'd that the Kitiffi 

' was a Bjftard and no Way capable to rdgnr^ 
' Thar to make this his fo monftroui Ambition,' 
' more fuccefsfu!, and already lo begin his Ufur-* 

* paiion, he had caus'd miiny of the King's Sub-' 
' jeds to be fwom upon the molt hieffed Satra- 

* ment to be true to him and his He^rs, without 
' any Exception of their Allegiance ; after which' 
' fo fol mn Oaths, he dil'coyer d to them his Re- 

* filmion to tight himfelf and his Followers, who 
' had both fullered by ihe King's violent vite&- 
' ing away their Ellates ; and in particular lol^ 

* rever,ge himfelf upon the King, who (as he 
« moil impioufly and falfly fuggefted) bad , by 

* Art-Magick cdnirived lo confume him as a! 
' Candle confumerh in burning. And, what' 
' moft exprefs'd the Treafon of his Defignf, that^; 
' he had got out an Exemplification under the 
' great Seal of /f^nry VI, late King; wherein was' 

* lliewed how by the Parliament it was eua^edf 

* that if the faiii Henry anA E dzvdrd hisSon Ihould 
' die whhoui IlTue-m.ile, theKiIlgd^^n! (houldde- 

* Icendupon the Dukeof CW«ff and h;s Heirs i 

* whereby 



0/ E N G L A N D. 



363 



■ whereby clearly appear'd his Intention, imme- KjngEdi 
' diately to poliefs himfelf of ihe Crown, with 

* Dcilrudion of K.'in^ Edioar J and hlsChiHren, 
' by Pretence of a general Eleflion of the Com- 

* moti-weakh. This was the Sum of his Attain- 

* der, which we mny well believe had not fo eafi- 

* ly paft but by the King's publick declaring him- ' 

* felf; ihe Tecret working of the Duke of Glm- 

* fe/?fr ; and the paflionate urging of the Q^ieen's 

* Kindred. But this Attainder hath in it one HlsDrathdunt- 

* Thing moft remarkable, ihat C/rf««« here falfly Hon his Broths 

* was accufed of hying Ballardy to the King, to Richard Duke of 

* endeavour PoflelTion of the Crown ; which '^ """""* 
' afterward was alledg'd indeed by Ji/V/'i/ri/, Duke 

' of Gloueejier, to the abfolute Dilinherit of the 
' King's Sons.' ♦ 

It was not lilt five Years after the DifluluiionAnnoRfenin, 
of the laft Parliament, that we meet with another i+8». 
on Record, which was lummoned by Writs, ■*'"^''''"'°^* 
dated at Wejlminjler^ Nsv. ijih, in the izd and 
lall Year of this King, to meet at the iame Place, 
on Ihe zoth of January following. The firft 
Writ to the Peers, was direfled to his moll dear 
firft born Son, Edward Prince of fVnUs, i^c. and 
the next to the King's other Son, Richard Duke 
of rori. 

Being all aflembledon ihe Day appointed, the 
Archbiiliop of i'ork, Tkomai Rstkeram, Lord 
Chancellor, opened the SelTion, by a Speech on 
this Subject, I?a/7iin"S lUuminaiio mea ts" Salus 
■mia. After which he directed the Commons to 
chufe a Speaker; who, the next Day, preIeniedJ^':!''fr'',^'"'" 
JehnWood, Elq; for that Office. 

The firft Thing, on Record, which was done 
in this Parliameni, is, that the Houfe of Com- 
mons voted a SuppJv ; and by theConfentof 
the Lords Spiruudl ^nd Temporal, a 7enth and 
z Fifteenth, lo bt levied on the Laity, was grant-ASnbfidj', 
ed J cxceptaDeJudti' nof 6000 /. to he bcftow- 
ed on decay'd Towns. Alfo, a yearly Sublidy 



1 



\ 



3(^4 TT^^, Parliamentary Hi«tort 

KiogSdwirdlv.^? ^ levied on all Strangers, as well Denizens ai 
others. And, 

At the Requcft of the Commons, in Recom- 
penceof the above Grant, the King commanded 
that all the Statutes, concerning Weights and 
Meafures, Labourers, Beggars, and Vagabonds, 
fhould be proclaimed and duly obferv'd. 

A yearly Rent, or Annuity, out of the Kill's 
Cuftoms and other Revenues, amounting to £e 
Sum of 11,000 /. was fettled, by Parliamentf for 
defraying the King's Houfliold Ex^nccs. 

The reft of the Bufinejs tranfafted in this Par- 
liament, which The Abridgement gves us, wa$^ 
chiefly Gifts and Exchanges of Manors and other 
Hereditaments, in the Dutchies of Cortmal and 
Lancajier^%\iv^ would be too tedious to men- 
tion. Except, that a very large Grant to JRicbari 
Duke of Ghcejiery of the Wardenfliip of the 
North' Marches^ together with the Caftlcs, Towns, 
Lordfhips, Cuftoms, and Fee-Farm of CarUfU^ 
and Newcajtle * with feveral of the King's Here- 
ditaments, belonging to the Dutchy of Lancajler^ 
in Cumberland ; and feveral Countries and Lands 
within Scotland there mentioned, and feme Royal 
Prerogatives within the iame, to hold the fame 
of the King by Knight's Service, was confirmed 
by Parliament. This extraordinary Grant, with 
what has preceeded, were but too ungratefully re- 
paid, as will appear in the Sequel. Alfo, 

In fome Q rants, Leafes and Releafes made be- 
tween the King, the Abbot of St. Mary^Sj Yort^ 
and the Prior of St. Johns of Jerufalem^ con- 
firmed by this Parliament, Mr. Pryntie^ the Pub- 
lifher of the Abridgement^ remarks, * That in all 

* theie Grants, as well of the fai4 Abbot, as the 

* faid Prior, they feverally ftile the King by thcfe 

* very Words, Supremus Dominus no/ier E^wardus 
' quartus^ Rex, At which time, adds he, if thert 
' was any Pope, either his Power here was very 

* little, or elfe not much regarded/ 

Some 



0/ E N G L A N D. 365 

Some Ai5b are, alfo, in the Sluiutd-Beois, Kias^imuirf. 
made ihis Parliament, for the Advantage of the 
Publick, to which we refer ; and (h.ill only men- 
lion one, by which all former Suiutes made, 
touching the Excels of Apparel, were repealed. 
And, what kind of Apparel, Temporal Men, of a fmnptuiiy ' 
every Degree and Eftate, were allowed lo wear. Uvi, ' 

Alfo, ' 'I'hat none, under the Degree of a Lord, 

* except certain Perfons particularly named, (hall 

* wear any Gown, or Mantle, unlefs it be of fuch 

* a Length, that a Man Handing upright, it fliall 

* cover his privy Members and Buttocks (/).' 

But, though our Records inform us of no pub- 
lic Affaira being tranfai^ed thi': Parliament, yet 
the Hijhry aforemeniioned is not fo filent ; That 
Authority tells us, ' That Edward's foreign N^o- 
tiaiions were driven to a very difagreeable Crifis. 
He now found out, that Lewis the French King, 
had long made his Game of him ; and, at prefeni, 
feemed fo much to defpife his Power, that he not 
only withdrew the annu.il Tribute j but, aflual- 
ly forbid the Marrinne of the Dauphin with the 
Princefs Elizabeth, Edward'i eldeft Daughter, tho* 
they had been folcmnly conttatled : That the 
SeotSt having a Mind to break the Truce, firft, 
defpifed the Match that was agreed upon between 
their Iting and Cicely, another Daughter of Ed- 
ward's, and then openly efpoufed the Caufe rff 
France, Olhcr foreign Concerns relating lo his 
Friend the Duke of AyJWtf, gravelled himj nor 
were his domeftic Affairs in any profound Degree 
of Tranquillity. Under thefe Dilemmas, adds 7''\'' *^'"* P^i^ 
our Author, he found himfelf neccditaied to call *".' " ' 
aParrumem, to whom he opened the Caufe of 
his Troubles, and the fraudulent Ufagc he had 
met with from the Powers anove mentioned ; and 
bcgg'd of them to nflift him to revenge ihe Af- 
front. Nevetiheleis, he durft not. Jays the Mmk, 
ask 

(OStatuth iiLAict, ,Jwi 11. EJwdlV. 0^ .. 



I 



^66 The Tarliamentary History 

Kin(Ei!«rdiv.afl£ any Subfidy from the Commons; but too'^ 
more Freedom wich the Clergy, to whom be tol"^ 
h;g Nccefliiies, in a kind Manner; and ihcy, with 
ThtCicr^ panias mucii Ben^iiity granicd a 'Tenth; and' were fo 
him a Tenth, complailant to him, that whatever the King aft'd 
they granted. Here the Monk Tails into an Excla- 
mation againft fuch Fraflices ; which becaufe it is 
lingular in iis Kind, wefhill give in his own Words, 
firviU, pemitiBJum Exitium Ecclefias ] Avertat 
Deus, ai omnibus Rt-gum fuuedtnthim Animis, 
Failum ejujmsdi in ullam trahere Confequenliam ; 
ntforfan tpjU ta Miik, five deieriora, excagitari 
pejpnt, eveniant, qua mox huic Regi, y Jaa ch- 
rtjjimie Ps/leritati, mifembilittr evinerunt [m). 

The Abridgment of the Records halh given us 
the Names of the Peers fummoned to attend a 
Parliament a: Wejlminjltr, January the loth, in 
the twenty-third Year of this King. But there 
arc no Proceedings of fuch a Parliament, on Re- 
cord ; it is probable they never met, being pre- 
venied by the laft Sicknefs and Deaih of the K'ng, 
The Death of which happened foon after- For he died at his 
Edvvjid IV. Palace of Wcjhninjler ihe gth Da\' of Aprils Ami 
1483, and the 25d Year of his Reign. 

The inleftine Troubles that were on Foot, in 
this Kingdom, when this Monarch began his 
Reign ; and v;hich continued, by Intervsls, during 
ihe greateft Part of it, yields but finall Matter for 
rheiePaili.imentary Enquiries. And, indeed, when 
Edward, by mjny Vidtories, had ai length fub- 
ilued all his Enemies, we find but very few Par- 
liaments called, in proportion to fome former 
Reigns. It is probable, that this King had taken 
fome Difguft againft thefe Allemblies, by obfervicg 
that ihey ever decbred on the ftrongeft Side ; a 
flagrant Inftance of which w.>s the Recognifmg 
and Swearing 10 defend two oppolite Titles, in lefs 
than the Space of fix Months [n). It is true, that 
the Kingdom had been wafted, to the very Bones, 



0/ ENGLAND. 367 

■as it were, by the great Depredations, always con- KinjEdwarilv. 
rJequeniJal to Civil Wars; and the Commons 
P left 111 fo poor a Condition that they were little 
rable to grant Supplies. This might be another , 

L^leafon why this King chofe not to opprefs them 
fty Taxes ; but to fupport himfelf on the Reve- 
Vnues of the Crown, his own paternal Eilate, Be- 
f "nevolences from the Rich, and the Returns of 
Money he muft neceflarily acquire by TrafEck in 
his mercantile Affairs. In relation to Trade in 
general ; though the Reader may obferve that 
many good Ads were made in this Reign to en- 
courage ii, particularly thcWoollen Manufaftory j 
yec, moft Authors have accufed this King of a 
very falfe Step, in making a Prefent to the King 
of Spain of fome Csifwuld Sheep ; the Breed of 
which have been very detrimental to ihat laft- 
ramed natural Branch of Trade ever fincc. But 
one old Hiftorian ia), has in fome meafure cleared 
him from that Afperfion ; by obferving that long 
e'er this. Sheep mult have been common in Spain, 
as is apparent by a Patent, granted by K. Henry II, 
jfn. 1185, in the 31ft of his Reign, to the Weavers 
-of London, that if any Etiglijh Cloth was found 
-to be mixed with Span^JJ) Wool, the Mayor of 

Lendon Ihould fee it burnt. Thus much we 

have thought proper to fay at the Conclufion of 
this Reign ; but as to the Virtues and Vices of 
King £i^!("5ri/IV. in a more general Way, we 
leave them as they were ; fincc it is well known, 
that the good and bad Charaflers of this Prince is 
fufficiently difcufs'd by other Hiftorians. 

{<) J. Stowk, p. 419. A Lesgue of Frimdfliip and Com. 
roerte hiving been ratified between King ^rfioarrf, Hinry King 
of C^jlUc, and Jchn King uf Armgin ; the formtrr judging it 
very beneficial to EvgLnJ, Budc ihn kttci a Picfcnt of theft 



\ 




3i58 T/je'TarliawextaryHisTOKT 

tAXBS during the Reigns tf K!n£ Henry Fl. 
and Kiag Edward //^. 

In the Fl. ft Year of Henry VI. the CominoDS, 
with ihe A0ent of the Bilhop$ and Lords, grant- 
ed to the King ihe fame Subfidy on Woollen or 
Staple Wares, Tunnagc and Poundage as (of- 
nierly> for two Years to come- 
In his Second Year ihe fame Tax was renew'd. 
In hia Third Year the former Subfidies on Wools 
was granted for three Years longer ; and Ton- 
nage and Poundage for one Yeaa* i upon Condi- 
tion, that foreign Merchants lliould be ftridly* 
looked to for their Duties. 

In his Fourth Year the lame Subfidy onWool3^ 
t^c. with Tonnage and Poundage, was granted 
for two Years, as in ihe preceeding Pailiamentt 
In his Sixth Year the Parliament granted a Sub- 
fidy of 3 J. a Tun for all Wine imported, and r (. 
in the Pound for all More hand ize. Befidea this,, 
tliere was a kind of a Palt-Tux on every Patii 
that was worth ten Marks ^fr jA(n«A7 ; ten of die 
chief Parifliioners were to pay 6j. and 8 (/. a Hea& 
And in every Parifli worth lo /. a Year, the like 
Number of Parifhioners were each to pay a Maili. 
Ill all Corporations, every Perfon worth abevf 
zoj, belides his Apparel and Houfhold Gooci% 
was to pay 4^. each to the Kjng ; and ibprof. 
portion&Wy for every twenty they were wofUl 
more. 

In his Eiyihlh Year a Supply was granted of oiw 
whole 7f;;f^and oaeFifuenth, to be levied on the 
Laity. The C«mmons, at ihe fpecial Inliance, 
of the Bilhop of Winchefler, juft then made » 
Cardinal, granted another 7mb and a Fifieeitthi 
to be levied as above. They, alio, ^ve ClM 
King a Grant of Tunnagc and Pound ge, to con- 
•linue [ill ihe next P^iriiament. 

!n the fame Sellion they gave the King""^ 

feme Subfidy on \Voul!, .is was granttd in form' 

I'ariiamenu 



©/•ENGLAND. 361, 

Parliaments, for two Years, And at the fama 
Time, ihey confenced to (horien the Payment of 
the laft Tenth and Fs/teefitb, to relieve the pref- 
fing Neceflii.es of the Stale. 

In his Ninth Year the Parliament granted a 
Supply oF one Tenth and one Fifteenth, and a 
third of botli. They, alfo, gave Tonnage and 
Poundage for two Years, with a Sublidy of the 
like Vaj.ie on all Merchants Aliens, over and 
above the faid Tonnage and Poundage. The 
Commons, alfo, granted to the Kin^ 20 s. from 
every Layman holding a Knight's Fee, and ac- 
cording to the Value under or over. The fame 
from the Clergy for all Lands purchafed fince the 
aoth EJward L And that all other Perfons, hav- 
ing Hereditaments to the Value of lo/. over all 
Itepriies not held as above, (hall alfo pay 20 r. 
and fo according to Rate : Bui this was afterwards 
given up by the King. 

In his Tenth Year he had one Tenth and half 
a Fiftanth ; alfo one Year's Sublidy on Wools, 
and the fame Tonnage and Poundage, as in the 
laft Parliament. But he relea^'d the Tncreafe 
of Six-pence in the Pound on Merchant- 
Strangers, 

The next Year the Parliament granted a Tenth 
and a Fifteenth^ to be levied on the Laity. They 
likewife granted the fame Tonnage and Poundage 
given the laft Year, For two Years to come ; as, 
alfo a Subfidy of 53 j. and \d. on every Sack of 
Wool for three Years enfuing; and befldes this a 
Vote of Credit of 100,000 Marks, 

In his Fourteen'.h Year a vetyjunufual Subfidy 
■was granted, 1)12, That every Perfon holding any 
Frank Tenant in Lands, Annuities, Fees, Offi- 
ces, or Hereditaments, above the yearly Value 
of 5 /. fiiould pay 6 d. for every Pound, upon his 
Oath ; and a '[mth and a Fifteenth Was granted 
on the Laity. A Subfidy, alfo, on every Sack 
of Wool; 13J. +(/. from Merchants Denizens, 
and 46 J. 8 i, frum Aliens; and fo according to 
Vol, II, A a ihas 



I 



I 



370 TfjeTarliamentaiy Histort. 

that Rate on other Staple Ware, with Tonna^ 

and PouniJsge for two Years. 

In his Fiiceenih Yeir the Sub^dies granted were 
ihe like Tenth and Fifteenth, as in ihe laft. Alio, 
the fame SuWidy on Wools, ^c. was granted for 
three > ears 10 come. 

In his Eighteenth Year a Tenth and a Fiftmth, ' 
and half a Fifteenth, was granted to be ieviedof 
Uie Laity, as in his fourth Year. An ImpoS on 
Wools was alio granted for three Years ; and ifai 
all Aliens, not Denizens, within the Realm, fiiouti 
pay to the King yearly i6d. for each, bcingu 
Hotife kcerer; being none 6 i 

In his Twenty- third Yesr a Tent/j sni % Fif- 
teenth, and a haif of both, was granted by ParBfc 
nicnt. A Subfidyalfo of 34./. ^d. of Denifenj, 
jnd ;3 s. of Aliens, for every Sack of Wool tff- 
with Tonnagr and Poundage of DenifensI sn* 
double of Aliens, was granted to the King f« 
■four Years 

In his Twenty-fevCDih Year a Grant (rfl 
Tenth and half a Fifteintb, to be levied on the 
L.ii£y, piiTcd both Houfea j with a Grant, ajfi). 
of Toiraige and Poundage, for fii-e Yean t? 
com;, on all Merchants whatfoever, with " 
j\dJu:on of 3 J. more on Aliens, as well of 
HjuS-Toii-m as otherwife. /inothcr Grant v 
aJ'ia ni.ide of half a Teisib and n whole Fifteesl 
Likewife a Pjl-Tax was again renewed a 
grimed to the King of 161^. to be taken of en 
Hotiftiotdei within the Realm, not born will 
the King's Dominions, and td, nf every 
Perfoii fo born, and no Houfholder ; with 
and %d. of-every Merchant- Stranger, and 
of ilwirCleib. laftly, ihe hke Subfijy onV 
was granltd for four Yesrs, as btfore. 

The next Year the following Subfidy W 
granted, MS. That every Perfon having by fiw, 
Deed, Copy, Grant of Annuity, or Offit 
. dvar Yearly Value of ao;. in Frank-Tent 




<y ENGLAND. 371 

ffioultt pay 6 d. and fo from ip j. to lo /. From 
a©/, toioo/. Yearly, 12A in thePogod: From 
tool. xnA upw^rcs is. for every Poumi, as well 
Laity as Clc^y i Guardians of Wards, Menhav< 
ine F'ees, and all Corporations to pay accordingly. 

in .his Twenty-ninth Year he had a Grant of 
20,000/. out of the Cuftoms of Lsndsn and 
Smthampten ; and a very extraordinary Monopoly 
wa.'^ granted in order to^ riife Money. 

Ir> His Thiny-firft Ycai the Cotomons granted 
one f'tnlh and on? Fifltntb % likewife Tonnage 
■od Poundage during his Life. For the lame 
Term 5 3 r. 4 A for every Sack of Dcnifens, and 
{/.'fromr Aliens, andb for Other Staple- ware^ in 
Pmportion. Likewife, every Merchant, not 
bdfir within the Roalmt and co Denifen, and 
keeping Houfe, 40 r. and of every luch Merchant 
ks fludt remaui withtn the Reatm but fix 
Weeks, «0-J. And of every Merchant alien, 
being no Denifen, 13 s.^d. Yearly, during the 
King's Life. 

£dwgrdTV. had no SubGdy granted him till the 
third Year of his Reign, when the Patliament 
^ve him an Aid of 37,000 /. to be levied accord- 
ing to a certain Rate : But he afterwards releas'd 
booo /. of the faid Grant 

The next Year he had Totmage and Poundage 
af erery Englijb Merchant, for every Sack of 
Wool J3 i- and 4 d. For every 240 Wool-feb 
33 J. 4^ For every Lail of Hides 3 /. 6.'. 9d. 
And of every Merchant-Stranger, whether De- 
nifaisornot, fw every Sack of Wool 3/. 6j. Srf. 
Fwercry LaftofHides 3 /. 13 J. 41^. For every , 
240 Wod-fels 3 /. 6 J. 8 d. And all this was 
pHanted him for his Life. 

In his Ei^th Year he had a Sublidy of two 
tenths and two Fiftttnths, to be levied on the 
Laity, This Year ttiryVLwas reftor'd ; but 
Ibon after Edward recover'd the Crown : And, 

In his Twelfth Year the Commons voted a 
A a 3 Supply 



371 T/jeTarliamentary HisroKT 

Supply of 14,000 Archer? at iheir own Coft, the 
lame to be levied according [o a Proportion out of 
all Lands and TenemeniF. The Lords alfo tax'd 
, thcmfelvcs, bv way of Grant, unto ihe King, 
towards fumilhing ihe Forces aforelaid, the 7V«/i 
Part of one whole Year's Revenue of their Lands 
and Pofleflinis. 

In his Thirteenth Year the Commons granted 
the King one Tenth, and one Flfteenlh, 

The next Year a Subfidy was panted by the 
Commons of one 7(nih and one Fifteenth', alio 
51,117/. \s. 7id. for the Wages of the 14,000 
Archers vo:ed in his twelfth Year. 

In his Fifteenth Year, he had a 7>>i/A, a If- 
teeiith, and a Ihird of each ; beftdes this, the KXv% 
rais'd Money after a new Invention, call'd ^ Bi- 
nevafencf- 

Inbis Twenty -fecond Year he had a TtalbzrA 
a Tiftetjith granted him to be levied on the Laity. 
The Clergy alfo granted a Tenth. 

ThePrite ef Provisions and Labour durint 

the Reigns of Henry VL and Edward IV. ^ 
■which a hetler Idea may be fsrm'd nf the Vola 
of tke faregcing Taxes. 

INtheYear 1423, Wheat fold forSi-aQuar- 
ter, and Malt for 5 J. {a) 
In I +15) a Colt fold for it. Peafe for 21. iit 
a Quirier; and for -^'^d. & Bufhel. An 0)A 
Hide for 21. ft/. A Cow's Hide for u. 3iA 
and for \s. -j'^d. A Calfs Skin for ii4 
Twenty one Lambs for 4j. A Dozen of Sheep* 
Skins for jr. A Tod of pure Wool for 9;. 6L 
Ihe Tod. Ninereen Ells of Napkin Cloth folj' 
for 51. A Gallon of Ale for I'^d. Red Wi*' 
ai 8.^. a G.-illon, or Flaggon. Sweet Wine at. 
IS. id, A Stone Cutter for a Day's Laboat 
4(/. A Tyler 3iii A Sawyer 4;/. For twenS 
Pullen 



0/ E N G L A N D. 373 

Pullets I i. Sd. For a Quarter of an Ox to fait 

I J. 41/. For a Cade of Red Herrings (7301(10 
CadeJSi. For a Frait of Fi?s 3 i. 4^/. For 12 
Pound of Raifins t s. id. For a great Flefli- 
Ax II. ^d. For two Yards of Ruffet Cloch 
for ihc Shepherd is. ^.d. For four Qiiarters of 
Wheat to be malted 1 6s. For a Bay Horfe, for 
thePrbr's Stable, 1/. 6j. Sd. For two Colls 
9 J. For 30 Pair of Autumnal ^'Winter) Gloves 
for the Servanis 41, To the Baker's Servant for 
JO Days i j. For ihrefhing a Quarter of Wheat 
%id. For eight Woodcocks for a Prefent ii. 
For 12 Pair of Gloves toiheBifliopof/^rrf/F^r's 
Servants 5 j. For one Man plowing and harrow- 
ing 1! Days I s. (A) 

In the Yejr 1426, five Oxen, each apprais'd 
at 3 J ^d. Six Cows, each at a J. id. Three 
Horfes, each at 3 f. (c) 

In 1435 and 1456, Wheat, on account of a 
wetAmumnin H.'4-i fold for 1/. 61. Sd. but 
the Year following it fell to 5 j. 4 d. 

In 1439, Wheat fold for 20i. a Quarter fi^J ; 
and alfo in fome Places for i /. 6j. H d. (e) 

In 1 440, tiie Scarcity flill continuing, Wheat 
fold for J /. 41. a Quarter ; and Malt for iji. 
Oais 51. 4 if. Wine is. n Gallon j and Bay 
Salt I s. a Bufliel. 

From 1444, we h:ivc the following Account 
by Bifliop Fleetwood {/), viz. For an hundred 
Quarters of Wheat zi L 13J. ^d. each Quarter 
at4J. 4c/. For two Bufhels of Wheat forSeed 
J 1. For two Bufhels of Peafe (for Seed alfo) i j. 
For five Quarters of Peafe 15 s. each Quarter at 
3J. For jo Q_jartcrs of Mall lal. each Quarter 
314/. For fix Calves 121. each Calf at zs. 
For eight Porkers i /. 4 J. each at 3 J. without 
the 

(i) From i Cemfuiui of die Prioi and Canon of BurtiJItr Ct, 
0>l"i. inKlHNiTT'j Pancbial Afliqu"'"- 

it) SttLUAK-iGhfjrj, under die Woti Gr<;/t. 

(J) S-,owi;Ctr,r:c!:f. 

0) Fab>«n. 

t/) Ctr<,mt,i Frchfim. 




I 



574 The 'Parliamentary W\9*rovjf 

the Head. For 40 Geefe los. each rioofe i^ 
31/. For 31 D:izi:n of Pidgeons 10.. 8rf. eacb 
Dozj;n atabour ^\d. For 15 Dozen of Pidgcom 
71. 6i/. each Dozen a: bd. For lOoDczenirf 
Fidgcuns, each Dozen at 5ii, For :iii Ox 
1 /. lit. 8 rf. For eljht Cigr-eis, rr young 
SwJns each 3^- For a Fliich ot Bacca i j, 84 
For fall r Oxen, youii^aiiJIean,5 2 j, each aiijf- 
For ^(' Warp of L:ng 1/. ioj. 4.Y. For loo 
Siockfifh 17 i. 6//. For a Birrel of Herrings, It. 
30 QaJIons fully packed, i/. For two Plough 
Oxen i/. Z'- For a Q|mrter of Oats u. 8/ 
For three Bcfliel of Green Peafe, for Seed, aj. jj; 
At tills Time it appears, that Mafter-Tradw 
wrought by the Day at 3 d. and their Labourers 
or Servants at r fi. But then it's bcllev'd theyhld 
their Meat and Drnk, The Yearly Wages Wt, 
fome il. 6j. ^d. others it 

In 1445. fovp" Quitters and an half ofWhoI 
came co 305, which L-, each Quarter, at 41, 6i 
Oats, by the Quarter, at i s. Twelve Flaggoiu, 
or Gallons of Ale is. bd. each Gallon ai l^it, 
Hay, by the Load, 31. b'^d. For 3000 ~ ' 
Herrings il \ts. 'iVeniy-four Bullocb 
Heifers 6/, each Head at 5J. Cloth for Sur 
for SchoLirs, the Ell, at ^d. — This was the'—, 
as ufed at the Mni-; and therefore, in thofcDsjll 
was certainly fine. , 

111. 1447, Wheat, by the Q^iarter, 81. Osi,. 
the Quarter ai. i^d. 

In 1448,, Wheat, by the Quarter, 6j. %i 
OaiE, the (Quarter 21. A Cade of Red HeninJ 
5 J. 8rf. A Harrel of White Herrings g;. T,i. ' 

In 1449, Whear, by the Quarter, 5 j. AGi 
ofRed Herrings 6;, A Barrciut" Wjure Hemnpi 
iQs. ^d. Firicen Sheep, lit i /. i6j. lOii. odi, 
Sheep al (wiiliin i) zs. s.id. Seven Hogs, Jl' 
ill. 8d. each Hog at (within i) i c iil/ 

In 1450, Oats the QyiitKr u. loj, "'-' 
ihe Qiiarter zs. bd. 



0/ENGLANa ^75 

In 1451, Wheat, by the Quarter^ at 8/. Oatf 
die Quarter lox. lo^d: Twentjr-fix GaDoDsof 
Ale 3 J. each Gallon zli^d. Beans, the Quarter^ 
3i. ^d. For a Cade of Red Herring? 7s. 4^. 
For ;^ ^rrel of White Hening^ f 3 x* 7 i 

In 1453, Wheat, by the Quari/sr, %$. 4^, 
Ale, /^r Gallon i^d. A Cade of Red Herrii^ 
7/. 6^ Fourfcpre White HerrUigs iSp 

In 1454, Oats by the Quarter ls» io^d» 
■ hi 1455, Wheat very cheap, the (garter at 
if. %4. Malt, the Qjiarter, at is. 5 /i 

Jn »457f Wheat, by ihe Qyartcr, yi. 8^. Oall 
t^ Quarter is^ 9^^ A Gallon of Ale li^ 
A Cade of Red Herrings, at {>s Sd* ' Ninety- 
%WFQ White HeiriRg^ i J. 
. > In i459» Wh^t, by the Quarter, 5 s. Oats, 
f be Quarter 8i. 10 d. A Galjbn of Ale at i^. 
A Cade of Red Herrings, at 7 /. 10^^/. Nirvety- 
two White H.erfings, at i J. 

In 1460, Wbcat the Qjiarter, at 8;. Oats, 
the Quarter is. A OaUop of Ale jat i/l. A Cade 
of Red Herrings, at 7 f • One bundred.and I^inety«> 
tW0 White Herrings, a.t 2 s.^Httc the Bifliqp 
tabes notice, that from 1 440 to 1460, Wheat 
1i¥a8 never above Bs. the Quarter, notwithfiand- 
ingHhe Sword was drawn betwixt the Houfes of 
Zi^i axKl Lancqflerj which ufually cuts dowj) 
Corn, as well as Men. 

In X4631 Wheat ibid at London for 2;. a 
Qparter^ Barley ;it lu lod. Peafe 3;. 4^. Oat$ 
» J. zd. Alfo, the lame Year in Norffiliy Wheat 
/old for IS. 8 (/« Barley 1 5. Malt i ;. id, Oats 

2S.U) 

In 1464, White Wheat fold for 6 J. 8rf. a 
.<2jiarter (*)• 

In 1475, Oats fold for is. lod. a Quarter, 
' and a Load of Hay for 6 s. Sd. (/} 

Ig) Stowi'5 CtrwiV/p, 

i?) •Cotton** Abridgement of the Records, 

\() Fi.»»TwooD, ut Jupra, 

Aa 4 BY 




\ 



376 The Tarltamentary Histokt 

. "Tyy tile Death of King Edward IV. the firit' 

_D Prince of ihe York Lir.e, the Inheritance of 
the Crown defcended, by Right of Succeffi.-^n, to; 
his ddeft Son, Edward, then Prince of Ifaltsp 
who, from the Day of his Father's Death, wa 
ftiled King of Enghnd, and proclaimed as fuch^ 
by theNatne of Edward V, being then about 
thirteen Years of Age. 

This is the Preamble that the great Sir Thmat 
jWffTf gives to his Life and Reign of ths unfor- 
tunate young King ; whofe State ami Dionitj" 
was foon undermined by his unnatural and bai^ 
barous Uncle, Richdrd, Duke of Gkujier. Tha 
fhort Rei^n, if we may fo call it, of this Prince, 
was fo wholly taken up with the wicked Intriguei 
of his Uncle to difiwllefs him, that no Parliament 
could be called J for he w^snotcven fuffcred Co 
live to his Coronation. Therefore, 

To the particular Writer abovcmention'd, of 
this King's Life, and to the more general Enilijh 
Hiftoiians, we muft refer our Readers ; fince aU 
that was done, in this (hort Interval of Sovereign- 
ty, relating to our Purpofe, will be comprifed in 
the Reign of the SaccelTor 1 this yoijng King and 
his Brother being both taken off, by cruel Means, 
to make Way for him. Edward V. begun hit 
Life and ended it in a very unhappy Manner ; far 
he v/as born in a San£iuary, and died in a Prifin. 
He firft faw Light in Wiflminfitr Abby, whcrs 
his Mother had taken Sanftuary, after the Earl of 
Warwick had driven her Hufband Edward IV. 
out of the Kingdom, in Stptemtir 1470 1 and 
he was murdered in the Tower of Le/idan, in 
July 1483, a little while after his Uncle ^fiiwri^ 
Coronation. 



JE/rfon* ] 



Of ENGLAND. S77 

r S 

* ■ ' ' r . • * 

13 / C HJ R D ill. waded to the Throne kingRlchaidnt 
J^ thro' almoft an ' Ocean of Blood, drawn 
from his neareft Relations ; how long his ambi- 
tious Defigns had been fettled in his Bread is un- 
certain ; but, 'tis probable they had been a great 
-while refident there ; and, at length, had brought 
him to a fix'd Determination of obtaining the 
Crown at any Price. It is more than fufpefted 
that he had a principal Hand in bringing his Bro- 
ther Clarence to his Death ; and by gaining of an 
Aft of Attainder to pafs againft him, this Duke's 
Children were eiFeftually cut oflf from fucceeditig 
to the Crown {k). A Bulwark fo formidable being 
removed, Richard's next Step, after his Brother 
King Edward^s Death, was to try to get his 
Children declared illegitimate \ to put to Death 
all their Relations by the Mother's Side ; and 
laftly, to make fure Work, to have the two 
young Princes murdered, as aforefaid. Thefe ^w ^»<*«^ Cm 
Obftacles being all taken out of his Way, it ^^Tll^^u^^^ 

1 n* ? J. .-r»« 1 1 ^ ^ ' cure the L town 

certam that Rtchardrs Title to the Crown was to himfeie. 
. uncontefted ; being then the only remaining Male 
Heir, that could inherit from his Father fer^^ri 
Duke of Tori^ on whom and his Defcendants, 
the Crown had been entailed by Aft of Par- 
liament. There was indeed one more Impedi- 
ment to his Happinefs left ; and that was the 
Princefs Elizabeth y eldeft Daughter to Edward IV. 
jiiid his own Niece ; But, he had well con- 
trived a Solution for this Difficulty, tho' not fo 
cruel as the former, in the Main ; for, though 
he was obliged to deftroy his own Wife (I) to 
effeft it, yet his Defign was to marry his Neice 
Blizabethj himfelf ; in order to prevent any Other 
Perfon from doing it, and thereby to raife up, ftill, 

difputed 

{k) Sec before, P. 361. 

(/) She was Daughter to the famous Earl of IVarwick, firft mar- 
ried to Edward Prince of JVaUs, and afterwards to this Mpnfter of 
Mankind, one of her Hufband's Murderers. The Courtfhip on thi« 
extraordinary Occaiion, between Richard and tlie Widow^ is finely 
4rawn up by Sb^tkefpcar in his Tragedy of Richard III, 



V 378 The Tarliamentarv History 

^B »;i.,y:ri...jitT difputcd Titles lo ibe Crown. But more of lW( 
^ft in the Se(]uel. 

^m The very firft Yenr of Rnhard's Reign wm 

^B ntuchdiitu bed by adiingerous and powtr^ul Cuor 

^1 Jpir cy formed againft him ; at ;he Head of wliicA 

^1 Was the Duke of Buckingham. Tliis Lr>rd haA 

^K been the chief Inflmment in raifing Richard go 

^B his prelcnt Greatncf^ ; but, as lome relate, be* 

^M caufe he would not confent to the Murder of the 

^M two young Princes, and being denied ihe Eafldom. 

^B and lolieritdnce of Htrtford, which he claimed 

^K by Promile, he abruptly left the Court: SooniC> 

^V terwards, in order to fecure himfclf from RUharit 

^K Malice, who now watched all Opportunities to 

^P dcftroy him, he readily joined wirh thofi who 

ACoorniiicy »- ^^^ cngagcd in a Confpiracy to dethrone Kiel^er^ 
giinft him, b and fet up the Earl of Rjchmond, tlie only remnit- 
fivoor of iirsry jng BraHch of the Lamajtrian Family ; and, hw 
1^^' '2 Marriage of this Prince with Elizai>£.% the laic 
King's Daughter, perfeftty to reconcile aad-ooO- 
folidate the ff^ite and Rfd Refe Fafitions. T>> 
this End, the Duke of Buckingham raifed Force*? 
but was foon, by an unforefeen Accident, pie- 
vented from effefling any Thing; forced lo 
fly for Security to the Houfe of an old tiervant, 
who betrayed \\im xo Rkhsrd ; and, si Sahjburjif 
loft his own Head, as an Ationement for the 
Crime he had commiited in fettirga &owii aa 
the Head of his Advcrfary. 
Anno Rcgni I. In the fliott Reign of this King we meet but 
'4B4. with one Parliament, which was cali'd to H^ijl- 
Atweftmmikr. ^,y^^ January the 23!, in the firft Year of k. 
The Form of the Wiit of S-immons, direfled to 
Thmas Abp. of Cantsriiciy, ilie teft of the fiifhops, 
Abbots, Priors, i^c. and lo the Temporal Lorda, 
is as ufual ; the firft Writ to the letter is direfl^i 

L- to his m oft dear fiift-born Son Ed-uiardt Prince 
oUVaks, Duke of CsrBW?/, aa,l Eailflf ^/a^/r. 
This Prince who was then about ten Years of 
Age, h^d been fa cieaied a! Taikt lume Months 
before 
- 



Of ENGLAND. ^79 

bdbret Kt hU Father's (orond Carcifi^on iu thai iUiiAiUi«4llIt 

City (m). He enjoyed -this Dignity hurfor a imjiil 

Time, for he died ibc bcki Year j and lived 

not to iet his Father's dii'mal Cataflrophci nor lo 

tafte' perhiips of greater Mifcry himfelf. The 

reft ot tbe Peers, as they Hand in DugdaU'i Cata- ^ ■ 

logue, arc as folbws. 

yihn'X)u]i£ of Narfilt, miter Drjsreux Lord 

John Duke ofSupIi, Feircn, 

ff^U'mn Ear! of ^rundel^ John Lord Scrope, of 

Mdmund Earl of Kent, Eoltsn, 

Ra^ Eitiofffyimore- Th'i.'tis Lord Lumh\ of 

^A(j, Lumley, 

Jiet^y Earl of Norlhum- Thomas Lord Siatilty^ of 

berland, Stanley, 

^ISam ^il of Hunlifig- JebrtHrsieLorACobkamy 

tm, John Bkunt Lord Meunt- 

STiuwtfi Earl of Surrey, joy, 
U^tUiam Earl of Netting' JthnSliurtiin'LoriiStiur' 

biiittf ton, 

fi'aseis Vifcourt is^^^ 5'"i6» Sutten Lord Z)aif- 
Edward Vifcount Lijle^ ley, 
Molph Lord Gr/yjiack, John Lord Dynham, of 
5^»i« Lord Scrape, of Cflc/ Dynham, 

Majham, Richard Lord /"/Vs- 

JUchard Lord Eeauchamp Hugh, 

of Beaaihnmp, John Lord Zo//fA, 

J'flifl Lord Audley, Thomas Arunddl Lord 

George Lord Ntvili, of Mutraven, 

Btrgetvcnriy, Humphrey Lord Dacrt, 

Beginiild Lord Gr<y, of of Gilfland, 

J^ilton, John Ld. Grj>', ofPoru.'s, 

Gwge Stanley Lord (/« Ifllliam Lord HajJi/igs^ 
- j^ Strange, of ^///>;, 

Ifwry Lord Gr^-, Oii'^aLd. O^/i-, of O^/*-, 

fischard PFeJl Lord iil /a Edward Lord Hafl'mgSy 
: \ . JVaTt of //;/«^ £r/sri/, 

. Y*J Set I particuiar Account of thk King's Cotomtion at TV*. 



380 The T nrl'tamentarv History 

lUojUkhirim.'^ J*/'<im#j of tht •Judgr. fUmmmed alft w tUi 
Parliament wire thefe. 

Sir IVtll'iam Hujie Knt, Sir Riihard Neal, 

Chief Juftice, Sir iTssmeis 7rernayle, 

Sir Thsmai Brian, Sir John yavafmr^ 
Sir Guj Fairfax, And, 

Sir jyHHam Jenny, Morgan Kidwiilyt Erq;* 
Sir "hhn Caiejhi, rhe King's Attorne/ 

Sir Roger Toutijend, General. 

Our older Chronicles, and more modern HiftoM 
rians, are very (hort in their Account of iht 
Proceedings of this Parliament. The Hillary gf 
Creyland, colemporary with [hete Times, might 
be expeded to furnifb more Matter for thefe En« 
quiries,' relating to it : But there it is only curlbiify 
mention'd; though fome Hints are given, about \ 
the Methods taken [o force the Afl of Succeflioa 
throuch the HouTiis, as arealmoft incredible. It. 
is there faid, * That in ihic Parliament, the Kin^ 

* in order to ftrergihen his Title !ci iljat Crown,, 
' which he had in the preceedmg Summer gam'i^' 

* brouiiht an Affair, rel.iting to matrimonial Con* 

* tradls, to be difputed before an Affetnbly of 

* Laymen. And, though it was wellknown [Iraf. 

* fuch a Court had nothing to do in this Matter,^ 

* yec fo great was the Dread and Fear, wbic^^ 

* then poflefs'd the bolJtft, that they not onl/ 

* undertook the Affa^, bit gave Sentence ac-J 
' cordingly.' For, addi our Auihriiy, fo mon^' 
great Men, Peers and Commoners, were pro*: 
fcrib'd t he means attainted ] as was never known 
fince the Time of the Tiiumviiaie o^ Oitavais, 
Anthny and Lepidus («). Belides, a great Qinb* , 
tily of Money was drawn out of the King's 5Vca-, 
fury at this Time, in order to ga'n this Afl, and.- 
chicfly diltribuced amongft his Northern Friend^,' 



. c«;t« 



T, NshiRim, Fru 



m f>.r"l«'™. Pr^'rip'h^" fifl^lnt, w« 
IBIU, Anmnii a Lepidi, FaHmx finlh mify^m 



i..Ciini,P, 570. 




Of EN<5XAND.-^ jn^ 

bdfbi%) ftt >hU Fatl<»6r's fiyw\d C^roKnacKMi & that lUn^Uiifaw^iai 

City (/«). He ^ojoy^ <fcis JXgnity iwit for a fmall 

Time, for he ^ed- the ne«t Year 5 and lived 

not to fee his Falher^s difmal Cataftropbe, nor to 

tafte' perhaps of greater Mifery himfelf. The 

reft of the Peers, as they ftand in Du^dak*^ Cata- ^ * 

logue, are as follows* 

khnDM\ito^ Norfolk y Walter Devereux Lord 

^ohn Duke of Suffolk^ Ferrers^ 

JtHlifimUzxloi jirundel^ John Ldrd Scrope^ of 
Mdmund Earl of. Kejif^ Bolt9n^ 
'1?^ Earl of TVeftrmrt- Thomas Lord Lumleyy of 
: . land', Liimley^ 

JFfyfiry Ezx\ of Norfium- Thomas Lord Stanley^ of 
-, berland^ Sianley^ 

if^lSam Earl oi Hunting- JobnBroke Lord Cobham^ 
, tm^ JfihnBkunt Lord Mounts 

f3)07n4^ Earl of Surrey^ joy^ 
^ftiiamlE.2irloi NMitig" JohnSmtionhordStour^ 
ham^ :^ ton^ 

Francis V\icoy}p.t Lovely John Sutton Lord Dud* . 

Edward Vifcount Lip^ tey.^ 
M^lpb Lord Gnyjiotk^ John Lord Dynham^ of 
^^bn Lord Scropt^ of Care Dynhani^ 

Majham^ Richard Lord Fitz* 

fticbard Lord Beauchamp Uugh^ 

of Beauchamp, John Lord Zouch^ 

y^n Lord Audiey^ Thomas Arundell Lord 

^iorge Lord .A5?v/&,.of Mat r aver Sy 
. Bergavenny^ . Humphrey Lord Dacre^ 

jS^ginaid Lord Greyy of of Giljlandy 

■ Wiltouy John Ld . Grtfy , of Pffwis^ 

Cimge Stanley Lord .^^ William Lord HafiingSy 
^k Strange^ *. of Wel/osy 

ffenry Lord Gr/)', ' Ow^« Ld. O^fe, of 0^/if^ 
flicbard Weji Lotid di la Edward L^rd Haftings^ 
A.Wary ' of Hung erf or d, 

... -^. . .TJ/ 

<v./«r^ See a particular Account of this King*s CoronatKm at 7Vi(> 



380 Th7'/irifaMg»tarvVJ[sroKY 

Parliamtnt wire tbefe. 
Sir IViUlam Uafei Knt. Sir Richard Neal, 

Chief Juftice, Sir Thomas Iremayle, 

Sir Thsmai Brian, Sir John Vavajaur-, 

^\T Guy Fairfax, And, 

Sir JVili'am Jenny, Morgan Kidwelly^ Efq;! 

Sir Jihn Catijbi, the King's Attorney 

Sir Ruger Tounjini, General, 

Our older Chronicles, and more modern Hifto- 
rians, are very Qiort in their Accouiu of ths 
Proceedings of this Parliament. Tiie HiHery gf 
Croyland, coiemporary wiih ilieie Times, might 
be expeflcd to furnifb more Ma!!er for thefe En« 
quiries.-relatinaio 11: But ihereit isonly curlbrily 
meniion'di though fomc Hints are ^iven, abouik 
the Methods taken 10 force the Aft of Succefloa 
through the Houfcs, as arcalmoft incredible. It 
is there faid, ' That in this Parllamenr. the King, 
' in order to ftrengthen hb Title (o tl-at Crown,, 
' which he had In the preceeding Summer gain*d, 

* brought an Affair, rehitingtomairinionial Con* . 

* iradts, to be difpaicd before an AffemUy of 

* Laymen. And, though it w,is well knovti tha^* \ 
' fuch a Court had nothing to do in ihis iMaiter, 

* yet fo great was the Dread and Fear, wbicb 
' then poflefs'd the boldeft, that they not only 
' undertook ihe Affair, but gave Sentence ac- 

* cordingly," For, adds aur Aulhniy, fo man^ 
great Men, Peers and Commoners, were pro- 
Icrib'd [ he means attainted ] as was never known. ^ 
fince iheTime cit the Triumvitati of OH aviui^ 
Antheny and Lepidus («), Belides, a great QmnJ . 
lity of Money was drawn out of ihe King's 3"'*ea- 
fury at this Time, in order 10 gin this Aiftyan^- 
chiefly diltributed amongft his Northern Friencb^, 

wIkmh 

_ (■J Tel « Mfl/sr™ flimrVorar, Ncii!!-jm, Frxtrtp,, 
.umuB, niam ifiMi Ej,;fn/«>r„m, Pmfmfiimi faaa L 
Triumvinlo Cftaidanr, AriEDnii it Lepidi^ Fafhm Jimibt % 
aaaxap Itgatiir. His T. C«(.t i. Cont, P. ijti. 



0/ E N GL A N D. 381 

^om heplantedi alfo, for iiis greater Security, k. I 
in tvtiy Part of ihe Kingdom ; which gave much 
Offence 10 his mere Southern Subjcfla, and made 
them pay more Regard to the Hopes of a future 
Revolution, than to the prefent Tyrant. 

Fabian, who liv'd in this King's Time, and 
ends his Clironicle with the next Reign, hath not 
one fingleWord of this P^rla.ment, Hail and 
JJolllngfi^ad only (ay, that in the Beginning of 
'the Year J484, a Parliament was fummon'd, in 
which the Earl of Richmsnd, and his Followers, 
were attainted, and (he People burthen'd with 
fcvereT^xcs and Impofitions ; and that the Money 
£0 collected was wafted on this King's Creatures, 
or fquander'd away prodigally, to flop the Mouths 
of fuch as knew any Thing of his Guilt in the 
Deaih of his Nephews. 

Polydore Vergil writes {0), that after this Parlia- 
. inetit had attainted all the exil'd Perfons, and 
confifcated their Eftaies to the King's Ufe, 
Richard was not content -with tbefe rich Spoils, 
but commanded ibcm to grant him a large Sup- 
ply ; for, in order to vindicate himlelf from 
Calumny, and to buy the Favour of ihe People, 
be had be flowed luch Largefles of Money 
amongft them, that hisTreafury was very low. 
But the moft extraordinary Stretch was, that 
*rhomas Stanley fliould be alfo dcclar'd an Enemy 
to the State, on account of his Wife Margaret's 
being Mother to the Earl of Richmond, who was 
commonly thought to fae at the Head of ttic 
Confpiracy (p). And though a Woman's Politics 
may be judged of fmall Moment, yet this Parlia- 
ment thought proper to lake Notice of her, and 
commanded her Huifaand, in whom they could 

(.) HiJI.A'E. Ub. «T. p. sst. 

(*)'ji;>&ir(raOY<nPolicyherefttlfdhim j for it W3i owing t« 
the Defcrtion of this Salbcatas Star-lty, and his Forces, that he 
■fccrwarda loll his Crown and Lite, at the Battle of £ff-uvrit. 
Staaltj Vii creaWl Earl sf Derhj hy Hc-y VU. 



38a ThffTarliaTWKtaryllisros.r 

K-Sittaxiia. finJ no Guile, to confine her dofely ; and fuffilf 
noMeflcggers, of any Accoiinr, to pafs between 
» her Son and her, that might difturb the Peace tf 
the Kingdom. The fame Author adds, that bf 
Confentof this Parliament a Peace with theSfMS 
yrho had be^un Hoftilnies on die Englijb Borden, 
was conchjded. 

The particular Writer of this King's Life {q}, 
anda very particular one he is indeed, for, he hat 
taken true Pains to wafh hisBlnckmoor white, tf 
more cxplicite than any other in his Account of 
ihe Proceedings in this Parliament. He fayi, • 

* That in this Parliament were many good L3fA \ 

* cnaited j the Marriages of King Edward wertr'- 
' debated ; that with the Lady Gray adjudgsff 

* unlawful, and her Children illegitimate } iheft- 

* being Proof of a former Contraft and Marriage 

* with the Lady Ehansr Tal^t, Daughter lo the/ 

* old Earl of Shrnvshury, and Relift of the hcft^ 
*■ Butler 0? Sudcley, then, and long after, Itvingy 

* Ail that had been inferred by the Dbfce or- 
» Buciingkam, or contained in the Bill liipplica* ■ 
' tory, demoiiftratcd, was again coiifulted, arid 
•Judgment given againft that Marriage; iHe 
' Incapacity alfo of the Children of the Earl 6(; 

* TVcnyick and his Sifter, the Lady ElizaMb 
' PL-nttJgenety were all decreed and confirmed l^ ' 

* Aft of Parliament. Sa that here, adi/s ear 
' Jiither, to tax fo general an AiTent. wtTe to fay 

* there was not one honeft or jiift Man in that 
' high Court ; and what greater Scandal can there 

* he .igainft the whole Kingdom ? 

' There was likewife Notice taken of the Earl 
' of Rkhmmd'a Pretence to the Crown, by a 
' Title derived from the Rotife of Lancajier\ 

* who was at that Time in Fra-.ci labouring to 
' engage the King and the Duke of Briltnin m hit 



u 



0/ E N G L A N D. 383 

* Qoarrel. Oh ! the infinite Windings and per- k. Richard ni. 
*ffe)oed Steps we labour thorough; to get that 

* which we muft bid Goodnight to To-morrow ; 

* and yet the true and rightful Lancajier had no 

* Finger in this ; for this Earl was not then 

* granted to be of the Houfe of Lancafier ; until 

* the Pope» by his Bull, had given him that Title % 

* dnd himfelf, after he was King, by his Prero* 

* gative aflum'ed ir. In this Pcirliament he was 
^ attainted of High Treafon, and with him John 

* Earl of Oxford^ Thomas Marquefs of Dorfit^ 

* J^fp^ Earl of Pembroke^ Lionel Bifhop of 
« Salisbury^ Pierce Bilhop of Exeter j the Lady 
•^ Margaret Countefs o( Richmond^ Thomas Morton 

* Bifbop of EJy^ Thomas Nandich by the Stile of 
♦' Thomas h^aniicb of Camhridge, Conjurer, 

* Wihiam Knevet of Buckingham fmeared with 
^ the fame Pitch, George Brown of Beachtvorth^ 
f -Thomas Luienor of 7ratton^ John Guilford^ 

* John Fogg^ Edward Poinings^ Thomas ficries 

* of Cherflmonceux^ Nicholas Gainfordy William 

* Cliffotdy John Dorrely with others of Kent and 
« the WeJI Country. There was further enafted, 

* for the Approbation and confirming the true 

* and lawful Title of King Richard, this Claufe or 
« Sentence, 

// is declared, pronounced, decreed, confirmed 
ind eftablijhed, by the Authority of this prefent 
Parliament, that King Richard III. is thetrue and 
undoubted King of this Realm ; as well by Right of 
Conjanguinity and HerikJgej as by lawful Ele^ion 
ifnd Coronation, &c« 

Our Author proceeds with this Remark, * That 

* in a Place of the Roll of this Parliament, there 

* are Arguments to be gathered, that the two 
« Sons of King Edward were living in the Time 
•■ of this Parliament, which was at leaft nine 

* Months after the Death of their Father, and 

* fix Months after Richard was- declared King. 
« Which, adds he^ will import thus much. That 

Mf 



384 The "Parliamentary HisToRr. 

. ' if King Richard fuffered them 10 live (b long, 

* there is no Rcafon why he fliould aficr makt 

* ihem away ; for theit Lives couid not leQJff 

* their BlooJ or Titles, nor their Deaths advan- 

* tage hiai. Neither can Baftards be dangeroui 
' or prejuJicia! to the true and titular Lord, or 
' lawful Proprietor, be he King or Subjeilt 
' witnefs Foreign Countries, and England itfclfj 

* which holds Bjflarcis uncapable of HcritagCf 

* Honour or Offices.' 

Thus far we have thought proper to extra£^ 
vtrbatim^ from this Panegyrift ; and (hall only 
add, what the Annotaior in Kennil's ColUSim 
remark:- on the Patlage of Edward's Children 
being alive at the Time this Parliament wai 
fitting. Hs lays, ' That the Author would have 

* done much towards ihe Credit he drives at ID 

* his Hiftory, to have fpecified the Place of the 
' Roll and the Words thereof, whence fuch 

* Arguments might be gathered. Vor, adds It^ 

* all Htftorics relate the Murthersto be committed 

* before this Time (rj.' 
But, tofelalideall Doubts in ihis Matter, Sir 

Rabtrt Cmon haih left us a full Tranllatlon of 
this Bill for excluding of £rftti(7r(fs Children, and 
fettling the Crown on Bichard and his Delcen-, 
dants ; extrafled from the Parliament Rolli, 
in the firft Year of his Reign. As this is the laft 
Parliamentary Record, which we can have from 
that painful Colledtcr and Abridger of thofe mofl 
valuable Monuments of Eng'njb Hiftory, then 
and now depoliied in the Tower of London-, we 
fliall givelt wriivtjw, along with the Annotationj 
of IViHiam Prynne, Efq; the Editor of tbefe 
curious Remains : And, the rather, becaufe this 
cxrrjorflinary Bill, tho' publifhed by Mr Pryni 
near lOo Years ago, is fo far from being copied,- 
ibit 



(0 K., 






0/ E N G L A N D, 385 

that, except by one (a), it is fcarce takenNotice of k. Richard m. 
byAr.y Eng/i^ Hiftorian whdtfoever. 

Jnm prima Ricardi Terlii. 

In Rotuh Parliamenti tenti apud Wefttn. die 
Veneris viceffimo tertio dis Januarii, Anno Regni 
Regis Rkhznii Tertii prima, inter alia cgiiti- 
nentur, ut jequitur, 

Memerandum qvod quesdamBiVa exhibit a fait csram 
Dcmino Rcge in Parliamenta prisdiito in hat 
Verba. 

* TT/Hereas late heretofore, thai is to fay, 

* W before iheConfecraiion, Coronation, and 

* Inihronizalion of out Sovereign Lord King 

* Richard \\\. a Roll of Parchment, containing 

* in Writing certain Articles of the Tenorundcr- 
■ written, on the Behalf, and in the Name of the 

* Three Kftates of this Realm oi England, that is 
' to fay, of the Lords Spiritual, and Temporal, 

* and of the Commons by Name, and other Nobles 
' and notable Pcrfons of the Commons in great 
' MuUitude, was prefented and adtually delivet'd 
'unto our faid Sovereign Lord, the Intent and 

* EfFeftexprefs'dat large in ihefame Roll ; to the 

* which Roll, and to the Confiderations, and 

* inftant Petition comprifed in the fame, our faid 

* Sovereign Lord for the publick Weal, and 
' Tranquility of this Land, benignly aflented. 

* Now, forafmuch as neither the laid Three 
Vol. IL Bb ' Eftates 

(«} ynin Spiti, p. 713. This Author concludes his Abftrnft 
of this Bill with this Remark ; ' TheTe Things 1 have laid forth, 

* mote at brge, out of the Patliamfnt Roll, that ye may undo- 
' tend both what %ni how great Matters, the Power of 1 Prince, 
' the outwird Shew of Virtue, the wily Fetches of Lawyers, 
' ftwriing Hope, penfiye Fear, DeCre of Change and goodly Pre- 

< tcnces, ate able to elfeft in that moj) wife AOembly of all the , 

' Eftates m the Kijipiom, even againft all Law and Right i fo the ^ 

* Saying.of So/omon in this State leemed Icoil true, that a living 
■ Hii£ ii taicriian a Jiad Li'ir. 



%. Richard ni. 



A Petition pre- 
sented bv feveral 
Lords and Com- 
mons out of Par- 
liament to Rich- 
ard when Dulcc 
ofGlocefter, de- 
clarM as valid as 
thoi'.gh done in 
Pariiamcnt. 



386 The Parliamentary History 

Eftates, neither the faid Perfons, which id 
their Name prefented and delivered, as it is 
aforefaid, the faid Roll unto our faid Sovereign 
Lord the King, v^ere aflembled in Form of Par- 
Uatnent j by Reafon whereof divers Doubts, 
Queftion?, and Ambiguities being moved and 
ingenderedin the Minds of divers Perfons as it 
is laid [b): 

' Therefore, to the perpetual Memory of the 
Tmth, and Declaration of the fame, be it 
ordained, provided, and eftkblifhed in tbii 
prefent Parliament, That the Tenor of the Uuil 
Roll, with all the Contents of the fanUy 
prefented as is abovefaid, and delivered to our 
abovefaid Sovereign Lord the King, in tk 
Name, and in the Behalf, of the iaiicl Thiee 
Eilates out of Parliament (f ), be now by (k 
faid Three Eftates aflembled in this prefitat 
Parliament, and by Authority of the lantet 
ratified, enrolled, recorded, approved, sdul 
authorized, to the removing of'theOccafidns 
of Doubts and Ambiguities, and to all other 
lawful Effefts that (hall now thereof enfue ; fo 
that ail I'hir.gs faid, affirmed, fpecified, defired, 
and remembred in the dud Roll, and in the 
Tcnorof the fame, underwritten in the Name 
of the faid Three Eftatcs, to the EfFeft expref- 
fed in the faid Roll, be of the like EfFe.dl, Vinuc, 
and Force, as if all the fame Things had been 
fo fiid, affirmed, fpecified, and remembred in 
full Phrliament, and by Authority of the fame 
accepted and approved : The Tenor of the feiJ 

'Rcir 

{h) Things done and concluded without the Three EAates in Vv* 
Jament^ivc little or no Satistaftion to the People, though in tlic 
Name of tlic Parliament and the 'Ihrec Eftatcs. 

Mr Pryffw's NotP. 

{c) The Three Kftates muft concur to make a Parliament, df 
his Title would neither be valid nor Jatisfadtorj-, but ambiguous 
hetbrc, no one or t'.vo of them being a full cr real Parlifmenr, H 
all conjoined. Jbil 



0/ E N G L A N D. 3S7 

* Roll of Parchment, whereof above is madeK.Richani m. - 

* mention, folJoweih, and is fucb. 

To the High and Mighly Prince Richard Duie sf 
Gloucefter, 

* Pleafeth it your noble Grace to underftand 

* the Confi derations, Eleition, and Petilion under The Pcu'ridon 
' ' written, of us the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, '"^'^^ 

* and Commons of this Realm of England, and 
' thereunto agreeable, to give your AOenC to the 
' common and publick Weal of this Land, and to 

* the Comtbri; and Ghdnefs of all the People of 

' the fame {d). _ 

* Firit, we conlider, how that heretofore in 

* Time paft, this Land for many Years flood in 
•great Proiperity, Honour, and Tranquility; 

- * which was caufed for lb much as the Kings 

* reigning ufed and followed the Advice and 
' Council of cci'tain Lords Spiritual and Temporal, 

* afld other Pcrfons of approved Sagenefs, Pru- 

* dence,~ Policy, and Experience, dreading God, 

* and hiving tender Zeal and Afieiflion to indiffe- 

* rent Adminillration of Juftice, and to the 

* common and pufalick Weal of the Land : Then 
' our Lord God w.is dreaded, loved, and 

* honoured ; then within the Land was Peace 

* and Tranquility, and among the Neig! 

* Concord and Charity j then the Malice of 
' outward Enemies was mightily relifted and 
' reprcflbd ; and the Land honourably defended 
■ with many great and glorious Viflories ; theti 

* the Intcrcourfe of Merchants Was largely ufed 
' and excrcifed ; by which Things above remem- 

* bred, the Land was greatly enriched, lb that as 

* well the Merchants as the Artificers, and other 

* poor People, labourini; for their living in divers 

B b 2 * Occupations, 

[JJThsnfwDeyJceofthiiblooiiyUrutijer, to entitle himlelf ta 
tM Cmwh «f Kn^Undj and lake upua Iwm tbt J^ipl CmeiBmEDt, 




388 The Parliamentary H i st o E.T 

' * Occupaiions, had competent Gain, to the; 
' Satufa^tioD of them and their Houfholds, livii^ 
' without miferabic and intolerable Poverty, Bi 

* afterwards, when as fuch had ihe Rale at. 
' Governance of this Land, delighting in AduU-' 

* lion and Flatlery, and led by Senfuality and 
' Concupifcence, follow'd the Courcii of Perfonis 

* inl'olent, vicious, and of inordinate Avarice, 

* dcfpl'ing the Council of Perfons g,ood, virtuouH 
' and prudent, fuch as above be reraembred ; tbt' 
' Profperity of this Land decreafcd daily, fo tbrt 

* our FelicLly was turn'd into Mifery, and oij 
' Profperity into Advcrfity, and the Order g 

* Policy, and the Laws of God and Man con* 
' founded 5 whereby it is likely for this Realm : 
' fainntogrealMireryandDefolation, (whichGi 
' defend^ without due Provifion of convei^d) 
•Remedy be had in this Behalf in all god 

* Hafle. ■ 

' Over this, among other Things mote iiwcial, 

* we coniider how in ihe Time of the Reign a 
' Edward V^. late dcceafed, after the ungraciouf 
' pretended M^irriage (as all England hath Caiift 
' to iay) made betwixt the faid King Edwardioi 

i ' Etixolilh, fomeiimes Wife to Sir John Grajt 
^, ' Kn'ght, laie naming herfelf, and many Yean 
y ' bereiofoie, Queen of England^ the Order of 
''^ ' politick Rule was fubverted, the Laws of God, 
' and .of Gud's Church, ^(. alfo the Laws of 

* Nature, and of England, and alfo the laudable 
' Cuftoms and Liberties of the fame, wherd^' 

* every E'lglijhman is Inhcritoi:, was broke, fubvert- 
' ed, and contemned, againft all Realbn and 
' Juflice (f) ; fo that the Land wasrule.l by Sclf- 

* Will and Pleafure, Fearand Dread, r-.il Mannet' 
' of Equity and Law laid ap^irt and defpifcd ' 
' whereof enfucd miny Inconveniences and Mif 

* chiefs, asMutders, Extortions and OppreiEoi 

* namely of poor and impotent People i fo th . 
' no M;tn was furc of his Life, Land, or Lively^ 

' hood 

\e) UlKHici ml Livs evoy EiiiUJl.men'i InJietitince. Ffji>»t 



inq, 
Ed> 

4ilJ 



0/ E N G I. A N D. j8y 

* hood, nor of his Wife, Daughter, or Serranl, k, Ridnnj 

* every good Maiden and Woman ftantling in 

* Fear to be ravifhed and deflowered. And belides 

* this, what Difcords, inward Battles, Efl^ufion 

* of Chrrftian Men's Blood, and namely, by the 

■ Deftnidtion of the NobldS Blood of this Land, 

* waa had and committed within the fame, is 

* evident, and notorious through a!] this Realm, 

* unto the great Sorrow and Heavinefs of all true 

* Englijhmen. And here alfo wc conJider, howr 

■ that the faid pretended Marriage betwixt the' 

■ above named King Edtuardund EUzabtth Gray, 

* was made of great Prefumption, without the 

* Knowing and Aflentof theLordsof thULand, 

* and alfo by Sorcery and Witchcraft commiued 

* by the faid EUzabeih, and her Mother Jagust, 
*■ Duchefs of Bedford, as the common Opinion of 

* the People, and the publick Voice and Fame is 

* throughout all this Land, and hereafter if the 

* Caufe ftali require, Ihall be proved fufficiently 
•in Time and Place convenient. And here alfo 

* we confider, how that the faid pictended 

* Marriage was made privily and fecreily, wiihout 

* Edition of Banns, in a private Chamber, a 

* prophane Place, and not openly in the Face of 

* the Church, after the Laws of God's Church, 

* but contrary thereunto, and the laudable Cuttom 
" of the Church of England; and how alfo at 

* the Time of ihe Contract of the fame pretended 

* Marriage, and before and long Time after, the 

* faid King Edward was and ftood married, and 

* troth-plight, to one Dame Eleanor Butler, 

* Daughter to the Earl o^ Shrewsbury, with whom 
' the faid King Edward had made aPre-conlra6t 

* of Matrimony, long Time before he made 

* the faid pietended Marriage with the faid Eliza- 
' beth Gray, in Manner and Form aforefaid. 

* Which Ptemili'es being true, as in very Ttuih 

Ey be true, itappeareth and followelh evidently 
t ihc laid King Edward A\iux\g'W\s Life, and 
.■■' : 



n 




3^0 "the Parliamentary History 




I 



the i-M Elizabith, lived together finfuUy aad 
dair.nably in Adultery, againft the Law of God 
' and of his Church ; and therefore, no marvd^ 

* that the Sovereign Lord and Head of the Laii4' 
' being of lUch ungodly Difpofition, and provoting 
' ihe Itc and Indignation of our Lord God, fach 
' heinous Mifchiefs and Inconveniences a=i are 

* above remcmbred were ufed, and committed in 

* the Realm amongft the Subjedls. Alfo ic ap- 

* peareth evidently, and foiloweth, that all ^ 
' Ifllie and Children of the faid King Edward, be 

* Ilaftaids, and unable to inherit, or claim any 
Chilira* t -j-jjing bf Inheritance by the Law, and Cuftom 

' ol England. 
' More.iver, we confider how that afterwards 

* by the Three Eftaies of this Realm alTembled in 
' Parliament, holden at IVeftminfler^ Amu 171 
' of the Reign of the faid King EduiardlW. he 

* then being in PoiTeflion of the Crown and Royal 

* Eftale, by Adl made in the fame Parliament, 
hilcB of < Gsorj^e Duke of Clarence^ Brother to tlie King; 
"""'"'" Edward now deceas'd, was convjfted, and 

attainted of High Trcafon, as in the faid Afl is 

* contained more at large ; becanfe, andbyReafon 
Hii iffue [hereby * ^^^''^°^' all the lll'uc of the faid Gfcr^ff was, 
not inheritable, ' and IS difablcd, and barred cf all Right and 
bat imcapabletoi Claim, that in any Cafe ihey might have, or 
*^"'='^"™'* challenge by Inheritance, to the Crown and 

* Dignity Royal of this Realm, by the ancieiit 

* Laws and Ceftoms of this fame Realm, 
' Over this, we confider, that you 

undoubted Heir of fifVfiW Dtikc of Tork^ veSf' 
Inheritor of the faid Crown and Dignity Roya't 
and as in Right King of Enghnd by Way cf 
Inheritance ; and thai at this Time the Premifies 
duly confidered, there is none other Perfon 
living but you only that may claim the 
Crown andD'gnity Royal, by Way of Ii 
ritance, and how iliat you be born within 
Land ; by Reafon whereof, as we deem in 
'Mint 



cdbfPuIix 



Rlclw'J III. cl, 
clir'a undoybtl 
Heir thertlu. 



leot 



(y E N G £ A N D. 3pi 

^ Minds, you be more naturally inclinM to the k, Richard ni, 
' Profperity and Commonweal or the fame i and 
ijall the Three Eftates of the Land have, and 
may have more certain Knowledge of your Birth 
and Filiation aforefaid. We confider alfo the 
great Wit, Prudence, Juftice, Princely Cou- 
rage, and the memorable and laudable A<Ss in 
divers Battles, which as we by Experience know 
you heretofore have done, for the Defence and 
Salvation of this Realm, and alfo the great 
Noblenefs and Excellency of your Birth and 
Blood, as of him that is defcended of the three 
moft Royal Houfes of Chriftendom ; that is to 
fay, England^ France^ and Spain (/). Where- 
fore thefe Premifles duly by us confidercd, we 
dcfiringeffeftually the Peace, Tranquility, and 
weal publick of this Lstnd, and the Reduftion 
of the fame to the ancient honourable Eftate, 
and Profperity : And having in your great 
prudent Juftice, princely Courage, and excel- 
lent Virtue, lingular Confidence, have chofen by 
in all that in \is is, and by that our Writing 
choofe you high and mighty Prince, our 
Sovereign Lord (^j, to whom we know of 
certain it appertaineth of Inheritance To to be 
chofen (/&). And hereupon we humbly defire, 
pray, and require your moft noble Grace, that 
according to this EleSion of us the Three Eftates' 
of your Land, as by Inheritance, you will accept 
and take upon you the faid Crown and Royal 
Dignity, with all Things thereunto annexed and 
appertaining, a$ to vou of Right belonging, as' 

' well 

(/) His pretended Virtues and Fitnefs to reign as King j his Va^ 
lour in Battle 5 his honourable and Royal Birth ; without one- 
Word of his defperate Treafons, Regicides, Murders, Hypocrily, 
and other Vices. Pryrnc. 

(gj His Eleftion by the Three Eftates and this Inftrument, to 
be Kingof England, •'^'^• 

(h) They make hii hereditary Title the Ground of their Choice; 




I 



3jH The Tartiamentary History 

■ * well by Irhetitancc as by lawful Eleflion (1)%^ 

* and in caie vru fo do, we proroife to affift ajw 

* ferve your Highncls, as true and faithful SubjeSa 

* and Liege-men, and to live and dye with yoii 

* in this Matter, and every other juft Quarrel .| 
' for certainly we be determin'd rather to adverW 

* lute and commit us to the Peril of our Lives ai 
' Jeopardy of Death, than to live in fuch ThiaW 
' (iom and Bondage as we have done long Tiifte 
' heretofore ; opprefTed and injured by Exiorlior 

* and new Impofitions, againft the Law of Gi 
' and Man, and the Liberties and old Policy, ai 
' Laws of this Land, wherein every EngliJhmaA 
' is inherited (i). Our Lord God, King of all 
'Kings, by whofe infinite Goodnets and eternal" 
' Providence al! Things are principally 

* verned in this World, lighten your Soul, and' 
' gran: you Grace to do as well in this MaHer 
' as in all others, that whicli may be according ta 
' his Will and Pleafure, and to the common and 

* publiek Weal of this Land, So thai after great 
' Clouds, Troubles, Storms and Tempefts, the V 
' Sun of JtiKice and of Grace may fliine upon us..! 

* to the Joy and Comfort of all true hearted ^ 

* Engi^fhmen (l). \ 

* Albeit that theRight, Title, andEftatewhidL* 

^^"^^ ' °"'' Sovereign Lord, Y^m^thavd HI. hath to, ' 

Crcn^nV tlw * ^"^ '" ^'^ Crown and Royal Dignity of ihu. 

Law of God and « Realm of England^ with all Things tbereunto, 

Njiturt, 1 withinthc fame Realm, and without it anneiA}. 

' and apdertaining, bcir.g juft and lawful, a^ 

' grounded upon the Laws of God and Nature,j 

' and alfo upon ilie ancient Laws and laudabls' 

' Cufloms of ihis faid Realm i and alfo laiea 

(0 Their Pftlilon jnd Importunity ID him to accept of tlW 
Crown, thouph bimrdt" moA aysW thirfted after i(. And Ut 
hereditary Bight thereto bxanisA Ij their Eleaion. Trfa*^ 

(*) Their I'Toroife to alM, (en'c, and oirey him, upon luiJU;-^ 
ccpcancetlienof, at bts SubjeSs, and lo live and dye with lumi 
And their pretended great Thraldom, Bondigc, OpnreiTioiu, (S^ 
un.i=rhi.Prtd!cdrors. mi. J 

(/) Their Prayet fur him, and their jr"' Troub:e, ocwCwi'4, 
'■•j b) himTelf, 



I 0/ E N G L A N D. 353 

* ud reputed as fuch by all Perfotis, being learned ^j. njj„fj jj, 

* in the abovefaid Lawsand Cuftoms (m). 

* Yet neverthelefs, foradnuch as it is confider- 

* ed, that the moft Part of the People is not 

* fufficiently learned in the abovefaid Laws and 

* Cuftoms, whereby the Truth and Right in this 
' Behalf oflikelihood may be hid, and not clearly 
' known to all the People, and thereupon put in 

* Doubt and Queftion. And over this, how that 

* the Court of Parliament is of luch Authority, 

* and the People of this Land is of fuch a Naiure 

* and Difpofition as Experience teacheih, that 
' Manifet^tion or Declaration of any Truth or 

* Right, made by the Three Eftaies of this Reata 

* aUembled in Parliament, and by Au;hority of 
•ihefame, maketh before all other Things, moft 

* Faith, and certain quieting of Men's Minds* 

* and removeth the Occafion of Doubts, and 

* feditbus Language («). 

'Therefore, attheRequeft, and by theAflent 

* of the Three Eftates of this Realm, that is to 

* fay, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and 

* Commons of this Land, afiembled in this prefcni ' 

* Parliament, and by Authority of the fame, be it 

* pronounced, decreed and declared, thit our faid 

* Sovereign Lord the King was, and is the very 

* undoubted King of this Realm of England., with 

' all Things therounto within the fame Realm, Tht Cioim ku 

* and without it, united, annexed, and appertain- '■='''™^ ^"'-"'l^ 
' ing, as well by Right of Confanguinity and Hei,™ffeBin!yt 
' Inheritance, ashy lawful Eieftioii, Confecration 

' and CoronaLion [a). 

'And 



{«) The Latvycvs (l^iTOtand approvers Tiik, The cojn™n 

(») The PirliaineiiC's Authority with tlie Peopir, whrn Iruc, 
ftee, mdral, confifting of the Three Eftates. It? Dtdatiiion 
quiettth all Mcd's lAmis, ronoveCh all Doubts and Si.iiitian3. 
yet]iethatconl]d(«39ir™,VI, [p. 19^] ot i Erf. IV. [[-.JH.] 
will fcarcB beleivt this for a Truth, neither piov'd it ib in his 
own Cafe. The Three Elbtca mufl lU concur to make a Parlia- 
roeni, and vaWEleflinn. lild. 

(0) They decree and dechre him the u:dou!itei King of thit 
Heslm, by luhetilaace inii iheij lawful Ekdiua coupled Cotcthcr. 

l!>:d. 



i 




\ 



3p4 The Tfirliatftentary History 

K.ftkhitdin. * And over this, that at the Requeft, and b 

* the AfTcDt and Authority abovefaid, be 

' ordained, enafled and eftablifhed, that the fa,,^ 

Hii Son Jecbrtd * ^'^°*"' '"'' ^"V^' Dignity of this Realm 

Hat ipparent. * ^^^ the Inheritance of ihe fame, and all othg 

' Things thereunto within this Realm, orwithoOi 

' it, united and annexed, and now appertaining 

* reft and abide in the Perfon of our (aid Sovereig 

* trfDrd the King, during his Life, and after h 

* Deceafe in his Heirs of his Body begotten, i 

* efpEcial at the Requeft, and by Aflent, and ibe 
' Authority aforefaid, be it ordained, enafle^ 

* ellabliQied, pronounced, decreed and declared, 

* that the high and excellent Prince Edward^ SoQ 

* of our faid Lord the King, be Heir appatem d 
*■ the fame our Sovereign Lord the King, W 
' fucceedtohim in iheabovefaid Crown and Royd 

* Dignity, with ail Things (as is aforefaid) there* 

* unto united, annexed, and appertaining, to 

* have them aUet the Deceafe of our faid Sova^gt' 
' Lord the King, to him, and to the Heirs of hit 

* Body lawfully begotten. 

* ^ce guidem BiUa Ccmmunibu! Regui Anglic 
' in diclo Parliaiiienio exijfinlibui tranfportatafiM, 
' {ui qitidem BHlaidem Communes jiffenjum Soon 

* prabuerunt fub hiis Verbis : A celte Billc la 

* Communs font aflentes ; .^uibus guidem B'^ 
' l^ AJJinfu coram Domirn Rcge in PaTliamatt 

* pradiSlo, kilh, auditis, (^ pkne intelUSIis, iS. 
' de Affenfu Domnerum Spiritualium y tempm' 

* Hum in di£io parlawtnto fmiliter exiftefitkm, 
^isfCommuniiatispradiiliS; nee non jfuiboritsit 

* ejufdem Parliamenn prsnunciatum, deiretum, tf 

* declaratum exijfit, omnia, et lingula in ~""' 

* prsedidta contenia fore vcract indubia ■ ac 

* Dominus Rex, de Aflenfu diL'lorum tnum 
' Statuum Regnr, & Authoritate pr^ifta, oniDil 

* & fingula prasmilla in Billa pr^Ediila contcBBi 

* concedit, & ea pro vero & indulwo pronuncia^i 

* decernit, & declarat [p). 

[fj HcTcbicrcBlxi 3nd ratifies hiiowii Tiife. 




0/ E N G L A N D. sps 

The Reader is to obfervc, ihat this ParliamemK. FUchi 
is not introduced in ihe /ibridgmetit of the Recards, 
: in the Roll it/elf , with that Formality as moft 
: or all the reft are. There are no Writs of Sum- 
ions, nor Names of Peers ; no Speech from the 
'hrone, or from the Lord Chancellor, declaring 
ic Caufc of the Meeting, nor any Speaker to the 



fotice taken of a Tax or Subfidy ; tho' this Im-of UmPailu- 
jfition is faid, by Hiftorians, to have been very"^'- 
rievo'js and burthenfome to the People. There 
no manner of Wonder that the Aft of Attain- 
:r, againfl: the Earl of Richmond :ind his Fol- 
iwers, is not to be found on Record : Conqueft 
ind Succellion to the Crown, foon after, gave 
lim Power enough, not only to abrogate that Aft, 
jt even to erafe it from ihe Records. And, the 
.eafon the abovefaid Roll is yet cxuntj may be 
.Signed to the Policy of the Conqueror ; fince it 
onvcy'd a Stigma, or Blot, on the Houfe of 
"crk, by bzihrdiCmgof Edward's Children. And, 
pt, this politic Succeffor was obliged to m.irry the 
Idelt Princefs of that Houfe, by Compact and 
;menc with his Coadjutors ; in order to fettle 
It ever thofe fatal Differences, which had divid- 
1 and torn the Nation for fo many Years, about 
le difputed Titles of Tori and Laniajler. 
Richard was weit aware that this propofed 
fnion was the greateft Motive, the Malecontenis 
) his Government had, to draw in many more 
idifferent People, not only tc wifh for, but to en- 
ieavour to bring it about. In order, therefore, to 
.llrate this Projeft, he took a pious Refolution 
©addlnceft to the reft of his enormous Crimes, 
\y marrying the Princefs Elizabeth his ekieft Bro- 
ber's D.iughter himfelf. The Hijloyy cf Cny- 
and informs us, that, during the Sitting of this 
'arliament, Richard, by fair Promifes, mixed 
wit!i fome terrible Threats, had, at lalt, prevailed 
ion the too cafy Queen, to fend all her Daughters 
Coun; v/here they were received, by their 
unnatural 



ip4 Thf Tdrliatnentaiy Histort 

K. KkltHd m. * And over this, that at the Requeft, and \ 

* the Aflent and Authority above&id, be 

* ordained, enacted and eftablifhed, that the fii 
ttli Son dttUred * ^°^"' and Royal Dignity of this Realm 
Hduppaicnc. * ^id the Inheritance of the fame, and all othfl 

' Things thereunto within this Realm, or withoo 

* it, united and annexed, and now appertainii^ 

* reft and abide in the Perfon of our faid Soveteig 

* Lord the King, during his Life, and after hi 

* Deceafe in his Heirs of his Body begotten, ia 
' efpecial at the Requeft, and by Aflent, and tl^ 

* Authority aforefaid, be it ordained, enafld. 

* ellabliflied, pronounced, decreed and declare^ 

* that the high and excellent Prince Edward^ Sett 
' of our faid Lord the King, be Heir apparent tj 

* the fame our Sovereign Lord the King, to 
' fucceedtohimin the abovefaid Crown andRoyd 
' Dignity, with all Things (as is aforefaid) theit- 
' unto united, annexed, and appertaining, to 
' have them after the Deceafe of our faid Sovereign 

* Lord the King, to him, and to the Heirs of hil 
' Body lawfully begotten. 

* ^<s guidem Billa Cominunlbus Regn'i Anglie 
' in dUlo Parliamento ixijientibus tranfportata fai^ 
' mi qmdtm BiUmidim Commune: jiffenfum fum 

* prabuerunt fub hits Verbis : A celle Billc fc 
' Communs font aflentes ; quibus quidem Bi^s 
' i^ AJenfu- coram Domm Rige in Parliamiatt 

* pradiao, k£iis, auditis, ^ pkne inteiltHis, tf 
' di AJfenfu Dcmmrum SpirituaHum y tempsra- 
' Hum in di£fa Parhamenio fimiitter exiftentiittt, 
*■ t^ Commun'tati! pradiiia ; nee non JuihentsU 
' ejufdtm Parliamenli prsnunciatum, decrelum, & 
' declaraium wjlil, omnia, et lingula in Bill* 

* prEdiftacontentafore vcraet indubia; ac idcBh 

* Dominus Rex, de Aljenfu diiftorum triufli 

* Statuum Regnr, & Authoriiate praedidta, omnil 

* & lingula prrcmiila in Billa pra:ciiaa conlean 

* concedit, & ea pro veto & tndubio pranunciil»i 

* dccernit, & dcclara! {p). ' 

[fj HerthtereitW and ntifiK llsow., Tiiie. sii. 



0/ E N G L A N D. jpi 

The Reader is to obferve, ihal this ParJiamencK, Richirdin, 
^is nor introduced in the ^ridgmtnf of the Recards, 
'tor in the Roll itjelf, with that formaliiy as tnoft 
^f or all the reft are. There arenoWriu of Sum- 
, nor Names of Peers ; no Speech from the 
Throne, or from the Lord Chancellor, declaring 
he Caule of the Meeting, nor any Speaker to the 
Itommons mentioned in it. Neither is there any ^^'^^'^^.^^ 
Notice taken of a Tax or Subfidy ; tho' this Im-ofihiiParlij. 
tofition is faid, by Hiftorians, to have been very"""'- 
yievo'js and burthenfome to the People. There 
! no manner of Wonder ihac the Aft of Attain- 

', againft ihe Ear! of RkbmoJid zui his Fol- 
owers, is not to be found on Record : Conqueil 
»nd Succcflion to the Crown, foon after, gave 
lim Power enough, not only to abrogate that A£t, 
lut even to erafe it from the Records, And, the 
leafon the abovefaid Roll is yet extant, may be 
iffigned to the Policy of the Conqueror ; fince it 
»nvey'd a Stigma, or Blot, on the Houfe of 
fori, by baftardifmgof frfiUfjrA Children, And, 
W, this poUtic Succeflbr was obliged to marry the 
Ideft Princefs of that Houfe, by Compaft and 
"Lgreement with his Coadjutors ; in order to fettle 
jr ever thofe fatal Differences, which had divid- 
d and torn the Nation for fo many Years, about 
he difputed Titles of Teri and Lamojler. 

Richard was well aware that this propofed 
Jnion was the greateft Motive, the Malecontenis 
;o his Government had, to draw in many more 
ndifferent People, not only ic wifli for, but to en- 
"eavour to bring it about. In order, therefore, to 
ruftrate thisProjeft, he took a pious Refolution 
tp add Incelt to the reft of his enormous Crimes, 
ly marrying the Princefs Elizabeth his eldcft Bro- 
her's Daughter himfelf. The Hi/lory if Crcy- 
'and informs us, that, during theSitlitJg of this 
Parliament, Richard, by fair PromiTes, mixed 
with Tome terrible Threats, had, at laft, prevailed 
ipon the tooeafy Queen, to fend all her Daughters 
D Court ; where they were received, by their 
unnatural 



$$6 The 'Parliamentary Histort 

k. Rkhitd ra, unnatural Uncle, with all fceming Tendernefiai 
Afeflion. At this Time alfo, the fame Auibp 
rity tells ug, that the King got together, almofl 
all the Lords Spirirua! and Temporal in t 

Kingdom, the Cliief of the Members of tL 
Home of Commons, and the principal Peifon 
of his HouflioW, into a private Parlour {i) of ti 
Palace J and commanded them to take a ne" 
coined Oath, by whom framed is uncertain, L 
be true to the SnccelTon of his only Son Edmri^ 
in cafe of his Father's Mortality ; and they wdl 
ali, likewife, obliged to lign their Names [o iL 
But to proceed. 

Mr, Rfl/i/ff'f^obferves, that J?/VAfirif called th« 
Parliament at a very feafonable JunO:ure. The 
Duke of Buckingham' % Confpiracy feeming entire- 
ly ftifled by the Death of that Lord, and the Re- 
treat of the Earl of Richmond's), there was not 
in the Kingdom any Perfon in a Condition 
up his Head againft him. So the Parliatnent, 
adds he, confiftiog, no doubt, of Rcprefentativa 
devoted to the King, declared £i/ivari^lhe Fourth's 
Ifliie illegitimate-, and confirmed Richard's ine- 
gular Eletiion, with his pretended Right to the 
Crown. This A&. was abfoluiely neceffiry for 
Richard's Security j befides, fays our Author, the 
Parliament thereby avoided the Trouble of en- 
quiring after the Fate of Edward V. whom all 
England hzi for forae Months acknowledged for 
King. Then an Adt of Attainder was'pailtd 
againft Henry Earl of Richmond, and all his Adhe- 
rents, by vertue whereof all their Eftates were 
forfeited to the King. By this A&, which de- 
clared alt ihofe Rebels and Traitors, that were 
concerned in the Duke of Buckiiigham'i, and tht 
Eari of Richmond's Conlpiracies, all the late Exe- 
cu 

(j) In juedim ii/msri QatMiib, juxta Amiltuin «)* J^ 
Canarai Ripvf. HuT.C.o*!. &w. P. 570. 

(r) Bapin'! HiJI. bJEi^S: ^"l-^'i- P. 6+1. 

(i) 'Rkhmer.i had bKD warting upon the Eiglijb Coaft 
few Ships, but whan he wa* alTured cH Bmthgiam'iXh 
Death, he faiH taUi :nIo Eriiavy. Hist. CiOdt, 
P. S70. 



0/ E N G L A N D. 397 

culions were in fome meafure juflified ; becaufe, K. Richard lH. 
ftill, ddds our Authirity^ luch as bad fuffcred, were 
conlidered as guilty of the Crime condemned by 
this Aft. 

The Senfe of another Author, who, iho' a 
Foreigner, feems to make a juft Refleflon on this 
Matter, is tJ]is(?). ' The Decree above being 

* regiftred amongft the Afls of the Parliament, 
""atid by that made auihentical in every Part of 

* it, makes it appear that the Kings of England 

* have Power to do what they will, when they 

* are either loved for their Virtues, or feared for 

* their Force. As to what concerns Love, there 

* is no Proof of it in ihis preCent Cafe ; but of 

* Fear, fuffident ; that Terror being the primum 

* mobik in this Buiinefs.' , 
But, it muft be allowed that fome other Bu/i- 

nefs was done in this Parliament, bcfides fettling 
the Succeflion, and pafling the Bill of Attainder. 
J/Iany wholcfome Laws, very beneficial to the 
Public, were enafled in it; a plain Evidence of 
which is their Handing unrepealed, in our Statute- 
Seeks, to this Day. Some of the moft remarkable 
we Ihall mention. 

I. ' That whereas the Subjefts of this Realniufj-jAfbiur. 

* had of late been burdened with a new Impoti-fed. 

* tion, called a Benevolence, the fame fhi^uld not 

* thenceforth be exafted. 2. That every Juftice 

* of Peace ihail have Power to admit a Prifoner, 

* arrefted for Felony, to Bail, and that no Officer 

* (hall feize the Goods of a Prifoner, arrefted for 
' Felony, till be aicainted. 3. That no Perfon 

* fliall be impannelled upon Juries, but who hath 

* Twenty Shillings Freehold, or Twenty-fixShil- 
' lings and Eight-pence Copyhold, at the teaft. 
' 4. That Wine and Oil-Velliils fhall contain as 

* follows : Every Tun (hall hold 25 7. Gallons ; a 

* pipe 126 Gallons; a Tertian 8:j. Gallons; a 

* Hogdiead 63 Gallons ; a Barrel 31 Gallons and 
' a half ; a Rundlet 18 Gallons and a hi\f(u}: 

The 

(0 BlOKDI, Vol.II. P. 116. 

('0 STATVXIlATl.AKQl,.fe<IOI,Ric.m,0';.3, ].+, IJ. 



3p8 The Parliamentary History 

J, The Aift againft collefling Benevolences hilli 
Ihi3 remarkable Preamble .- 
■ The King, remembring how the Commons 

* of this his Realm, by new and unlawful Inven- 
' tionsand inordinate Covetoufnefs, againft the 

* Ljiv of his Realm have been put to great 

* Thraldum and infupporuble Charges and Exae- 
' lions, and efpecially by a new Impofition called 

* i BeitcuskHce } whereby for divers Yean the 

* Subjefla and Commons of this Land, againil 

* their Wills and Freedoms, have paid great Suras 

* oF Money to their almoft utter Deftru^on ; 

* for diven and many worftiipful Men of this 

* Realm, by occafion thereof were compelled to 

* break up their Houfholds, and to live in grat 

* Penury and W relchednefs, iheir Debts unpaid, 

* and their Children unprefcrr'd ; and fuch Memo' 

* riiils as they liad ordained to be done for iM 

* Wealth of their Souli aneniifed and annulled, to 
' the oreat Difplealure of God, and Deftruflion 

* of this Realm.' Therefore, ts'e. 

It is eafy to lee that the Intent of this Afl had 
a double Afpeft, to make Rlthard's own Govern- 
nient fecm mild and fparing of his Subjedls Money, 
at the fame lime that it call an Odium oil that oi 
his Eroihci Edward [x). Bui, it was not tkt« 
lun^, after paifinir this Afl, that Richard himfefi" 
broke it ; for, on the firft News of the Earl ot 
JUih/nimd'a Invafion, h.iving futliciently emptied 
his Coffer?, ami fquandercd away tlie great Trea- 
furc left by his Brother, he had Recourle to ijic . 
very lame Means (which he had condemned in 
open Parliameni,} to procure mote. And, /iiys 
utr csiempei-ary Auiborm, the Word BefteveUmt 
which had been ufcd wiib fo much Coutcmpi, 
converted itfelf; for the King fent out his Crea- 
tures, who were CiiiUren of this WorId» aod 
therefore wifer than the Childien of Light, wbo 
hy Vraycrs and Threats, by Hook or Cnx)^ ' 
icrapea and gleaned together valt Sums of Money. 

ftotk 

(j) See tcfoic b thi: Voliune, T- J+J. 



0/ ENGLAND. 3pp 

teotti alnfloft all SorU of People, and carried it toK« Rkhart UL 
the King's Treafury (^y). 

This is all we can colleft relating to the Tranf- 
a£lions of this Parliament, either ftom the Records, 
Statute- Books, or Hiftoriansj what we have elfc 
to fay in this Reign, is, that a new Invaiion, hap- 
pening foon after under the Earl of Richmond^ 
King Richard loft his Life and his Crown in theRiduid kiikda 
Battle of Bojworth^ Augufi 22, 1485, and the^«^"^*^^^ 
Conqueror was proclaimed, at the Head of his^ 
Army, King of England^ &c. in the open Field. 

Thus fell the laft of the Sons of Richard Duke 
of York J whofe vblent Ambition proved the 
Ruin of him and all the Male Line of Plantagenet. 
Had he been content with the Protcflorfliip, he 
v^ould have had no Enemies, but have ended his 
. Days in Peace and Honour ; and feen the Crown 
eftablifhed in his Family. It is certain that the 
Hiftorians, immediately following thefe Times, 
in Compliment perhaps ^ to the reigning Prince, 
have given us Richard's Charafter as black as 
it could be made. Mr. Buck has endeavoured as 
far to polifli it, and to reprefent him a Prince of 
much better Shape both in Body and Mind, than 
he had been generally efteemed- Various are the 
Cenfures which have pafled on his Performance ^ 
welhall only trouble the Reader with that of 
Dr. Fuller^ * His Memory, fays he, fpeaking of 
King Richardj * has met with a modern Pen, 

* who has not only purged but praifed it to the 

* Heighth ; and, pity it is, that fo able an Ad- 
' vocate, had not a more meriting Perfon for his 
' Client (z;/ 

The 

fy) Hist. C<ioYL. Cont, P. 571,2. 

(x) YVLLZt^s fyortbies, P.zSz, in Northampton/hire, Bifhop 
Kennet, in his Notes on Lord Verulam s Hiftory of the fucceeding 
Reign, remarks. That amongft the Number of Perfons attainted 
in the firft Parliament of Henry Vll, was one yohn Buck, be- 
headed at Bofworthf a Relation to George Buck, the Author of the 
Life of Richard III. which perhaps, adds he, wa; the Rcafon why 
that Hiftorian, in Oppofition to other Wi iters on the fame Subjed, 
endeavours to have it believed, that King Richard wa« both a great 
and a good Maoi Kx^NfiTT*l CgUcli^TJ, Vol. II. P. 5^z. 



400 The ^Parliamentary "Hi^ro^Y 

JE-RkUrira, Thecelebnted /"««* Writer of Ertgli^itiC- 
tory, concludes his Reign of Bichari III. in this 
Manner ; 

' Let ua clofc, fays he, the Hiftory of the 

* Plantcigenets, with a brief Recapitulation of the 
' moft memorable Accidents that befel the Kings 

* of this Race, wiiilll on the Throne of Etigland. 
< • In this Summary of the fourteen foregoing 

* Reigns, it will be feen, not without Aftoniih- 
' mcnt, perhaps, that the Happinefs and Glory 

* enjoyed by this Race, for above three hundred 

* Years, were, almoJt nothing, in comparifon of 

* their Misfbrtiines.' And then he begins with a 
long Detail of direful Accidents, ail tending lo 
prove, that even God Almighty himfelf, always ' 
aited in Oppoliiion to an Hereditary Title to ibe "l 
Ettglijb Crown. On which extraordinary Reca- 
pitulation, his Tranflator and Annotator Mr. , 
Tinial, makes ihJs juft Refleftion : 

' h were to be wiflied that fo good an Hiflo- 

* rian as Rapm^ had been more fparing of : 
' God's Judgments ; ftich Remarks at belt being 

* a Sign of great Weaknefs. But when they are ■ 

* built on Falfities in Faft, as is fomeirmes the 

* Cafe, ihey are inexcufable. Of this, adds he, 

* we have an Inftance, even in Rapin htmfelf. 

* And, as for the long Lift of God's Judgmenis 

* upon the Houfe of Plantagintt^ it contains no- 
' thing extraordinary ; nothing but what is very 
' common in this World, and what might cafily 
' be matched out of the Hiltories of feveral other 
' Nations (a).' 

W RuTiJi^i Hifl.ffEngkrJ, Fo1.E4it. P. 647. Note!, 



r - 



3/ ENGL and; 40t 



THE gtrat -God of Battles haying given Ki„gH«,ryVii/ 
Henry Earl of Richmond a coinpleat Vidtorjr 
bver his mortal Enemy Richard HI. and he being 
llain in thp Field, the JJladem, for which they 
both fought^ and whicl) Richard wore on hi^ 
Jiead th^t jpay, being founds ^as immediately 
ptiC on Henry* ^ ; and,. according, to a Roman 
Cuftom, he was falutecj Emperor oy the Soldiery 
in the open Field, The Tiile to a Cfcwn by 
fcohdueft, muft be allow'd, ;a very ftrong one ; 
\>\jiXjffenry Vlt would nottrijft to that, nor folely 
to the laine I^edigree he pretended tp claim froqpi 
John of Gaitni^ the Source of the Lancajiriari, 
Stream ; knowing well, that it was fo cbftrufted 
in '.the Way^ by a Bar of Baftardy, that it was 
impoflible to makfe it feem clear to the World {a). 
The -beft Title he haci, was by Mai*riage with ; rj 

tbePi-incefs Elizabeth^ erdeft Daughter to King^ Title to the, 
Edward IV. and which be was obliged by ^V 
Compadl tojcotifummate, -feut yet, his inbred Ha- 
;'ed . to thc'Boule of York VJ2^% fo great, tbnt he 
tiifdain'd a Power that would then be n^ore Matri- 
monial than. Regal ; and \o refolv'd to reft upon 
the Tiile of Lapcajler^ as chief ;: and, as the gieai 
\jOxd Bacon obferve.«," to uie the. other two, of 
C o/i^ue/I ,zn^ Marriage^ as Supporters to it (Z>). 
Vol. 11. Cc With 

/ (tf) Yor Henry the Seventh'? Title to the Crown by Defccnt, fee 
the Life of Edward IV, by John Habingtcn, Efq; in JCennety 
Vol. I. p. 471. ■ 

> Philip de Comminei, in fpeaking of- the violent Pr6ceedings ia 
Richard^s Reign,, fays, LediSi Rcy Richard ne le porta pas loing j 
<tfr contra lui . ejUva Dicu un Ehnemy, {et tout en Plnjlant) qu^ 




ejie Prifonmer. . . 1; . . :• •.LfvnSixiefme, Chap. ix. 

(h) Pofyder* yer^it iatroduces two PfoplKcies to confirm hertry^n 
Title to th* Crown, in thefe Words ! . . , ,, 

HcDiiim . Prihcipum a\qu4 Populi jujju Rex credtur \ fuit ilUi 
Jfinus Salutis, M.CCCCLXXXVI. Henricus Jtc Revnum tjdeptm 
eft, quod Dei Nutft ^ C^filio gejhm, et proviftnn^ e£e, •vifun/ej},/ 
wando abbhie, id efty ex hoc j^nif Salu^Sy i4S6y y!nnsi 
P pCJCCVII. 2l$f<mdm> prpditupi ftrujttj, Vocem Divinitus Cadou*^ 
SJadro ukimn Britannorum Regi^ redditmnp ^ui Progetiiem rurfut 

regna'* 



401 The Tarl'tarKcfitary Histort 

i«i»HoiijVIl. Wi;li ihefe Views iirury took PolTeflion of the 
Engi/h Crown ; and the Solemnity of his Cat> 
nation wasperformM in iheufual Place itnd Man- 
ner, on ihe ijfh Day of O^iebtr, in the Year 
1485, The next Year, in order to gain a funhcR 
Anao Rfgni i. Santtion to his Title, he called a PailiameDti 

14S6. ' by Writs bearing Date at Weflminftir^ Sep 
A' Weftroiaiie.. jf„„^ Rtgnifui primo, lo meet ac the fame Plac^ 
on Ihe 7ih Day ofNev. following. A Lift of ihe 
Peers, on this oiher great Revolution in tlw 
Slate, is as foUowsff}: 
John Duke of Sufoli, George Lord NevlIidL 
joJPir [d) Duke of Bid- Bergavenny, 

ford, Richard Lord Grij, 

{yHiiam Ear! of Jrun- Richard Lord l>i 
The Smk of the Jile^ iVare, 

rra.(r, ^flAfl EarlofOjf/Jr^/, ThmisLord Lumlrt, 

Edmmid Earl ol Kent, John Lord Brett ofCA^' 
tril'iamEst] of Not ling- ham, 

ham, Jf^" Lord j^eutitjtfj 

Edward Earl of IVi/ts, John Lord Sutirun, 
Richard Earl Riven, John Lord Sutton at' 
Thamas Earl of Derby. Dudley^ 
JPVliam Earl of Hun- John Lord Dtnham, 

lingtan, 'Thomai Lord ArundtUd* 

FJivard Earl of Devon, Matraven, 
Ralph Lord Griypck, Edward Vifcount L'jUt 
Thonitii I.ord Sirope of John Lord Grey of 

M.:/ham, Powis, 

Rlrhiird Lord Beau- Henry Lord CUffirddt' 
champ of Beaachamp, Clifford (*), 

Joh 

^ Pol. Vt»c. jf^g. Hijt. LiK om. ». !«.. 

■Tj FramDutD«LE'<5»mminfoi'aWi"«iB™f, ^„, ,. Beo.m' 
(J. +76, 6?.-. 

MJa/jxrEarlcfPtKirOi-, King Hior^-sUnde. i.dbBOii 
3^<l by lum Dul^e qI' BrHftrd, at hh Craunition. Ai ku 
TJsn-oj Ltrd Hunlef mode Eirl of Z)(ri,, the King'i Fitin Hit 
L'J". AaiEJ'ii-ariCaiirlnij, Eariof Drvsr, 

;<) The Stery of the I'mfftration cf thi? Lotil Ciifflrd ti_, 



0/ E N G L A N D. 405 

yeisRutJiJfLotd Fitz- JFiUwm Viliount Beau' KingHmryV 

ff^aitir, me/it. 

The Judges, 
LordChief JuMceliifie, Sk Humphrey Stariy^ 
Sir Therfiat Brians fohn Suhard, 

Sir Guy F^irfaxj John Vavafiur, 

Sir "John Caltiby, ff^illiam Hade, Attorney 

Sir Richard Nee!, General. 

Sir Rff^er Tewnjhend, 

Mt Rapin iniroduces his Account oF the Pro- 
ceedings of thb Parliament in this Mjnner : 

* Eight Days after the Coronation the ParJia- 

■ mem met; i/^/jr/s Ends in callings Parliament 

• vere chiefly four. The firft, was to be decbr'd 
*" Yi'm?,dejure, as he was already K ng(ff FitSfo; 

• and to iecure the Crown to his Pofteriry by an 

• A£t in Form. The fecond, to reverfe the 

• Attainden of all his Party. The third, to 

• attaint thofe who had exprefs'd a great Animo- 

■ fity againft him, and moft Zeal for the late 

• King. Tne fourth and !aft, was to Ihew, 

• that tho* he had by his fole Authority placed 

■ himfelf on the Throne, to prevent his Titla 

• from beinj queftioned ; he intended however to 
*■ govern the Kingdom like his Predeceflbrs, by 

• Way of Parliaments, and not allume a defpotic 

• Power. This Step, adds oar Author, was 

• abfolutely necefTary for a Prince whofe Title 

• was fo dubious; and whoafcended the Thron* 

• without beingcall'd to it, miheufnoltfay.' 
The great Lord Bacon, in hi'; tfjlsry of the 

Life and Reign of K'Ug Henry VIL from whom 
all our modern Hiftorians, particularly the lalt, 
have copied, is fo very exaG in bis Account of 
the Proceedings in this firft Parliiiment called fay 
tltis King, that we are perfiiaded that noble Au- 
C c i ihor'g 





404 7he *Parliametitary HisToRt 

lBa|lkM)VIl<thot'« own W"c»ds will be more acceptable ihsil 
any AbiiJgtnefit or Alieraiion of [hem. He iclh 
us, * That en ibc fevcnth of 2'Jn-emher ihe 
Kinj held his Parliamem at JVeJiminJler, which 
he had lummone-d immediately aiier hU coming 
10 London, HU Ends in calling a P-»rIiamem, ani 
ibat To fpeedily, were chiefly three ; firft» to pro- 
cdrc ihe Crcwii lo be entaHed upon himlelf*' 
Next, to have the Aiiainders of 2II of hisPai(y« 
which were in no fmal! Number, revcrfed, and 
ail A'fls of Hofliliiy by them done in hisQuancl*. 
rcmilied and difchsFgcd j and» on the othtr Sid^ 
to attaint by Parliament, the Heads andfrincipa>» 
orhis Enemies. The thlid, to c^lm and quiet ii» 
Fears of the reft of that Party, by a general Psr-. 
don ; not being ignorant in how great Dangett 
King ftands from his Suhjefls, when moft of hir 
Subjefls are confcious in themlclves, that ihefi 
Hand in his Diiiigcr, Unto thele three fpe^ 
MotiyeB of a p. tliament was added, that he, aj» 
prudent aiid moJerale Piince, maJc this judg* 
rtient i that it wcs m for him 10 hsflen to lei i» 
People fee, that he meant to gdvern by LaWf 
liowfoever he came in by the Sword ; and & 
alfb to reclaim [hem to know him for their Kii^ 
whom they hid fo lately ulked of as an Enemy' 
or banifhed Mm. For ibac wbch concern«J the. 
EnUiling of the Ciown, (more than that he w» 
true in his own Will, that he would not erdin*. 
TiiB Sufcfffion gj,y mention of the Lady EHzabcik^ no not in ihc 
WortH^T^MdNaiure of Special Entail,) he carry'd it oihetwiie 
hUHciri, wilTi great "Wlfdom and Meafufe. For he did 

il0l prefi lo have the Aft penned by way of Ds- 
daration or Recognition of Right; as on [heotber 
5ide, he avoided to have it by new Law or Or- 
dinance; but chofe rather a kind of MiddIe-vFa}«, 
by way of EftabU{hmcni, and that under Covert 
and mdifFerert Words; Tkat the Inhi'itantt ^ 
thi Crown- Jbould >cjl, remain, -aitti abtdt in ut 
King, £A, which Words mtghi equally heapplitd, 
'I'bat the Crown Ihould continue to htm j bat' 
wheihtf 



7y E N G t A N D. 405 

whether as havlqg former Right to it, which was KiniHwry vn. 

doubtful, or having it then in Fafl and Pofleffion, 

which no Man denied, w^ left fair to Interprcta- 

tiOD either way. And again, for the Limitation 

jgf the Entail, he did not preJi it to go farther 

than to himfelf and lo the Heirs of his Body, not 

fycakmg of his right Hetts ; but leaving that to 

:^e iLaw to decide j fo as the Entail might feem 

rather a perfonaj Favour to him and his Children, 

than i tf>t2i Difinherifon to the Houfe of Hrk. 

And ii> this Form was the Law drawD and paC- 

&i(g). This Statute he procured to be con-' 

Ijrm^'by the ^upe-s Bull the Year followii^ 

with mention neyerth^fs, by way of Recital, of 

Wa other Titles, both of pefcent aiwi Conqijsft. 

So as Qoyr the Wreuhe of Thfce was made a 

Wreathe of Five (*|, for to the ihrcp firft Titles 

of the two Houfes, anJ Conq^eft, were added 

two more, the Auihoriiies Parliamentary a;^ 

Papal (0.' 

Cc 3 ^ The 

f[} Tht Wotda of file Aa of Settlement on Hiniy, are theft I 

* To the'Plcarutc of AhoigSty God, Weahh, Ptofperi^ and Stam 
■ ty of chia Realm of EigUud, and to the luigular Comfiirt of aU 
' the ICing'i Subjefl) of the fame, io avoiding all AmbiguitiR anf 
f Qoeffioni } be it oriained, eflabl Ihed, and enaftcd, by this pre^ 

* feat Pirliimeiit, that Che Inheiitincc of the Crown of chi« 
f Realm of EngLnJ, and alfb of Franci, with all the Prehenu- 

* nen.e and Dignity Roj^l to the faioc belDngiiig beyond the Sea, ' 
f with the Af^rlEnuices Ihereto io any wife due or appettaioiag ; 

* ibUI reft] toniia, and abide in thetnod Royal Perfini of our now 
f SomcgB L.'rd King Hitjry the Seventh, and in the Hnn of hJi 
' Body l^ffuUy coning, perpetually with the Grace of God lb to 
'f- cnddie, ind-in none otjtei;' 

Hall<( OnniV/f, Henry VII. FoL m. 
(ij //<(£<iirW?d«iiinake3ita Wreathe of fix, vw. By Inhc- 
ihaax, War> Efpoufali, Eleftioo, Gift of Parliament ; aqd Uftly, 
^ Poitfi^ral BcDcdiaion. 

Bacon in O'viririHiit, Fol. p. 114. Ed- 1739. 

(!) The Ptne'i BuU iiir coofinning the Crown to Haayi (^ 

itrtue of thit Entail, is in the CollcitioD of PiiiHii jHhf 

"tnn. XIL P. 197. in which is this remarluUe Exptellion ; t/n 

Wt^ynrtf'IU, ac ntivit & i«3iiHitn frtuM SuaJ/iuiitTU 

mlm, UiaifBc mfiam Ritm Asglii, PUbh kkBiui 

MMian ififfr CunnnlH Farliaaienit n> 



4oS The Tarliammtary HiSTOiiT 



1 



K KJoflfaHT^. ' "^^^ ^"^f likewifc in the Reverfal ot the At 
H uirniers of his Pariake.s, and difchargiDg them o. 

H ail ORcnctfs incident to his Sm vice and Succour, 

V hid his Will and (\&s ^StA accordingly. In 

^^^^^ the PalTige whereof. Exception was taken w di- 

^^^^^^^ ven Pcrfors in ihe Huule Of Cotrimons, for that 
^^^^^B ihcy wcK uitamtcd, and thereby not legal, nor 
^^^^^V habJiiate to kne in Parliament, being difahled in 
^^^^^" the hi^tieft Degree : And :hat it Ihould be a great 

^F Incongruity to have them to make Laws* who 

^P thtrafelves were not inlawed. The Truth was, 

^1 that divers of ihofc which had in the Time of 

H^ King Richard been ftrorgeft and moft declared for 

H the King's Party, were returned Knights and 

H Bu'gefles for the Parliament, whether by Care ot 

^L RecomTRcndation from the State, or the voluo- 

^H tHiy Inclination of the People ; many of which 

^V had been by Richard the Third attainted by Out* 

^r hwries, or otherwife. The King was fomewhat 

troubled with this: For though it had a gravo 
and fpecious Shew, yet it reflefled upon his Patty* 
But wifely not (hewing himfelf at all moved 
therewith, he would not underftand it but 
Cafe of Law j and wifhed the Judges to be 
vifed thereupon ; who, for that purpofcjWere forth- 
with aflcmbled in the Exchequer-Chamber, which 
is the Council-Chamber of the Judges; and upcffl 
Deliberation they gave a grave and Cafe Opinion 
and Adwire. mixed with Law and Conveniencei 
which was, that the Kni^his and Burgefles at- 
The Attjindcra tainted by the Courfe of Law, fhould forbear tt 
F*^- "'s"n«nJ. '^'^"'^ '"'° *^^ Houfe, till a Law were paffed for* 
**" ' 'the Reverfal of their Attainders.' 

* It was at that time incidenily moved amonglt 
the Judges in their Confultation, what fliould bctj 
done for the King himfelf, who likewife was at-' 
tainted j but it was with unanimous Confcnt re-' 
folved, That the Crtnvn laiei away all Dtfe£is anm 
Shp in Blood ; end thai from the Time ihe JGnf 
did ajjumi the Crown, the Feunlain was cUattl^ 
end all Anainders and Ct^ruption ef Blond Jif-i 
thargii. 



0/ E N G L A N D. 407 

tbargtd. But nevertheleft for Honour's Sake itKia(Htnr)iVB. * 
was ordained by Parliament, that ail Records 
wherein there was any Memory, or Mention of 
the Kings Attainder, fhoutd be defaced, cancelled, 
and tikcr. off the File.' , 

• But on the Part of (he King^s Enemies, there 
were by Parliament attainted, the late Duke of j^ ^^^^^ ^^ 
Ghcefler, calling himftlf RUhard the Third, thchu Ennni« u- 
Duke of KorfrJk, the Earl of Surry, VifLOunitiintni. 
ItVel, the !..ord Ferrers, the Lord Zcuih, FJchard 
Raiding, {fUHam Cattjh, and many others of 
Degree and Quality. In which Bills of Attain- 
ders reverthelefs, there were contained m:iry juft 
and temperate Claufes, Savings and Provilb's, 
well Ihewing and fore tokening the Wifdom, 
Stay, and Moderation of the King's Spirit of 
CJoverrment. And for the Pardon of (he reft that 
had flood againft the King, the King upon a ic- 
cond Advice, thought it not fit it fhould paf5 by 
Patliament, the better, being Matter of Grace, 
to impropriate the Thaiits to liimleif; ufing only 
the Opportunity of a Parliament-Time, the belter 
to difperfe it into the Veins of the Kingdom. 
Therefore during the Parliament, he publifhed his 
Rop! Pioclamaiion, offering Pardon and Giace 
of Reftitution, to all luch as had taken Arms, or 
been participant of any Aitempts againft him i fo 
as they fubmitted themfelves to his Mercy by aparinoitoothos. 
Day, and took ihe Oath of Allegiance and Fide- 
lity to him. Whereupon many came out of 
Sanftuary, and many more came out of Fear, no 
lefs guilty than thofe that had taken Sandiuary,' 

' As for Money or Treafure, the King thought 
it not feafonable, or fit, to demand any of his 
Subjefts at this Parliament! both bec:iufc he had 
received Satisfaflion from them in Matters of fo 
great Importance, and becaufi: he could not re- 
munerate them with any general Pardon, being 
revenied therein by the Coronation -Pardon, 
d immediately before. But chiefly, for that 
3 in every, Man's Eye, what great Foifeiturcs ■ 
C c 4 -and 




49S TheTarlramentary HisfpRj; 

Kui|R«Dr}Tn. atiii Cotifircations he hud ai that present to hete 
' himlclf i whereby thofe Cilualiies of ilie Oow| 

m'uhl in icaJon Ipare ihe Purfes cf Iiis Suhjcdt 
clpccully in a Tinw when lie was in Peace will 
tiwiM'd- ''" hisNeigh[>ours(if]. .Some few Lawspafleda. 
^ ^ , ' that Parliament, alraoft ibr Form-fake ; amongiit 
which [here was one, to rcJucc Aliens, btine 
felide Denizens, 10 pay Sli angers Cirftoms j m 
inoihtrr, tu draw lo htnifulf the Seizures an« 
Compottuiins of Z'J.wn Goods, for net Emploj- 
mcnt, bting Points of Profit to his Coff«%' 
whereof fiom the very Beginning he was no| 
forgetful ; and had been niore happy at the laitdT 
Eud, if his early Providence, whicti kept tim, 
from all Nccefliiy of exifling upon his Peopj^ 
could likevtfile'have leaipjr'd his Nature ihtieia- 
He added dMring Parl)ament, ' *to his iojtna 
CrcaiioDs, the Ennoblement or Advanccmtnt tf 
Nobility of a few oihdrs ; The Loid Chaijai ^ 
J , Briiainy was made Earl of Balh^ and Sir Gill^ 

V^^'^'^'"'"- Dawbency was made Lord Dawbe/iey^ and St' 
RabtTt ihHavghby Jjotd Erseic. 

* The King did' alfo with great Noblenefean^ 
Bounty^ which Virtues at that Time had tlwit 
Turns in his Nature, reftore Bd'ward Scaffir^. 
eldell Son to Hinry puke of Buiki/ighnfn, atiarctJ' 
ed in the Time lof King Richard, hot only to bii, 
Digniiies, but to his Fortunes and Poffeflions/ 
which were great ; to which he was moved alio' 
by a kind of Gratitude, for tiiat the Duke wai 
ibe Man that moved the fii-ft Sionc againll ilirf 
Tyrany of King Richard, and indeed made tW 
King a Bridge to ihe Crown upon his own RuiiS^ 
Thus the Pariiament broke up.' 

Thus far the noble Hiftorian. What we ham 
further to add to his full Account, is, only, an ' 
Abftradl from Tbe Continuatm of the Hifiary ej 

(1) Though Lord Bactn fays ihj?, yd vie are informed by llii 
Collcaion of PMiik ^as, Ihjc Iht ufual Tbnnaeff and PoiuidiM.' 
a:.d the Sublid) or Woob, W™l-Fells and Hidej wen BranOftiW- 
lUi Parliamem. Rvuen'i f^i, Tom. XTL P. lit . 

Tle^kiET alfogranteJa Tenlh. 7fcV. P. 313. 'j 



P/ E N G L A N D. 4051 

Cmland{l), ib often before quoted, ^'hicb cndSj^jj^fj^^^j^yw 
in this Very Year, relating 10 the Proceedinga'of'. " 'i- 

t(iis Parlrament. it is .there Ciid, ' That after 
*' King Henry's Coronation, 'a Parllamrtit was 

* held at Jfijhmnfler in wJiicii many Things were 
' [Tcaied ct and done, (it were' 10 be wilhed thiii 
' all were for the general Good) too copicus 

* for thisCompcndiuin of a Hiftory, Amongft 
t tlie reft, thjrty Perfons were profcrified, or mwe 
' cLmmonly; attaihted (/«), which A6t, ihu' 
' much more niodeft ihan what was done in i!ie 

* Prfiliaments under the late Kings /^Wijrt/ and 
f Edward, yet, did not pal? without jn'eat Debates, 

* or, U) (peak more plajnly, many ftarp Difputes 

* and Alietcations, O God I txclaimi the Maui, 

* what Security can Prince? have, that their Sub- 

* jcfls will defend iheir Perfons in the Day of 

* Batile ; when, being forced there, pethaps, by 

* their abfolute Commands and Threats, Che Side 

* ihey light for, as is often the Cafe, being worft- 

* ed, they find their own Lives, Fortune, and 
^ Eftates, involved in the common Ruin. In this 

* Parliament, adds our Authmty-^ the Crown was 

* fettled on Hei:ry, as his real Right, not from one 

* hut many Tides j for he did not claim ihe 

* Euglijh Diadem, fo much from Blood or Affinity, 

* as from the Right of Conqueft in the Field. 

* There were fome, however, who chofe rather 

* to conceal their Thoughts than fpeak iheni 

* openly ; and the mure lo, becaufe, by his own 

* Confent, the K.ing's Marriage with the Princefs 
' Elizobfib, cidell Daughter to King Edward, 
' was there treated on, and agreed unto ; in which 

* Match, all the Deficiencies which Henry wanted 
*■ in Title teemed well iilled up. But of this, pcr- 
' haps, more may be faid in another Place.' 

It is cafy to fee by this Quotation, from our 
^otemporary Hiftoric^rapher, that he is no Advo- 
cate 
(0 JiiH Rohm Ako.'Sckitt. vit. Ed. Gale, Tmd, I, 
fig. cSi. 
J \m) Piefcripwna, ^aas vulgara tlni'Ha vtcant, Ibftkra. 



I. 




410 The ^Parltametitary "hiisTOKT. 

Kfc»ffHf-vTT, caie for Henry's Title, nor Friend to his Sue* 
reflion ; and that, if he durft, he would have lef* 
lu his Thoughts in a plainer Manner upOD il 
But his Hiftory endmg, as is faid before, in thi 
very Year, we meet with no more Reflediot* 
about it, in that Author. 

Itiseviiieni, however, by other Hiftorians,ifia| 
notwithftandingail the Precautions which Hnfj 
cSri 2^" hk i«»fc to ftreng!hen and lupport his Title to the 
" " Crown, ilia Parliamentary Way -, yet, hisReigii 

was not without fome violent Concuflions, which 
greatly (hook his new acquired Diadem, """ ' 
Panizans and Favourers of the Houfe of Tiri\ 
were ftill very powerful and numerous ; andi 
omitLed no Oportunity lo exert themlelves in i\ 
Caufc. This he feemed well to foresee ; and bil 
Jcaloufy on that Occiifion made him inftitjtet 
Ljiiard of fiity Archers, under the Ccmmand o(* 
Captain J to be always near his Perfon, in cjft 
of any fudden Allempt. This was then a a 
Thing in England; their Kings, before, W' 
only guarded by the Laws, and their Subjedl 
Affections. But, to take away all Jealouly dk 
this fmall Jinndi^g jfrmy, he deckrcd the lofti- 
tution to be perpetual ; and ihat it was no more 
than what he had obferved in his Exile to be donff 
by foreign Princes; that it did not become ihe 
Majefty of a King to be without a Guard ; for,- 
it was requiiite to be had, if not of Necefliiyt' 
for Decency {»). An Inlliiution ihat has beta' 
kept up, with an Addition of fifty more, by aU 
our fucceeding Princes. The Reader will find 
that Henry's Precauiions were not without 
Reafon. 

, In the Beginning of the Year i486, the Mar* 

wbwbTBdy-fr '■'^S^ ■^^^ folemnized between King Henry vni 

•E the' Houfe of the Priiicefs Elizabeth; which was deligned D^ 

York. have entirely united the two contending Tiik% 

fo that no future Efforts (hould be made, by citbtr 

LSide, 10 difturb il. But, yet, this very Year an 
Infurreflioo 
(.) Biomb:, B-.:I: IX. Fr.^ i 



0/ E N G L A N D, 411 

Infurrcflion be^an, raifed by the Lord Love!, SirKinBHcmyVlt 
Humphrey Staffoid and his Brother ; though upon 
the News of an Army combg au,Jinft ihcm they 
difperfed themfelvcs. 

But, a much more da'gerous Commotion 
happened in t